September 14 – Coming Upon Us In Abundance

“…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ” Romans 5:5-6 (NASB)

In verses 1 & 2 we’ve found three promises giving us assurance of security in God.  The justification which God granted to us by faith comes through the work of Jesus Christ. It’s also through Him that we are now standing in grace. This undeserved grace is given in a promise that gives us hope and cannot be broken.  Now, in verse 5, we read this confirmation, "Hope does not disappoint." God will never disappoint any who have hope in Him.  None who hope in Christ will ever be disappointed in eternity. How do we know this?  Because the love of God has been "poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Paul goes on to describe how helpless we were when at the right time, Christ died for us, the ungodly. This promise of love is the fourth link we have to our security in God. It speaks not of our love for God, but of God's love for us. His love is personal, and intimate. More than just bequeathing it, verse 5 says that he pours it out within our hearts.  Like a waterfall of love, He fills us with this love.

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January 14 – Hope With No Shame

“ …and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” -  Romans 5:4-5 (ESV)

Aren't there times for each person when what is hoped for ends in deep disappointment and even shame? We stake our hope on uncertain outcomes and when it fails us, we may well be downcast for a time. This isn’t the kind of hope that we receive as believers from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’ve learned that even the times of sufferings are times that produce good traits in us. Endurance, character, and hope are mentioned in our verse. In this promise is this hope. A hope than will never result in our shame or disappointment. The hope comes from God and is built upon His Word and His promises. How is it we can be so certain that this hope won’t disappoint us? Because it comes as a result of God pouring His love into our hearts. This is the ministry of His Holy Spirit. This is why God gave to us His Spirit dwells within us never to leave us without His encouragement and counsel. We’re assured by God and so our hope is in that assurance. We are His precious people and He our marvelous God.

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March 9 – Doused with Love

“…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” - Romans 5:5 (ESV)

Our verse is part of a passage that edifies us about a chain of blessings. The broader passage Romans 5:3-5 is worth a look to see the sequence of character development of our life in Christ.  But this is a precious gem in verse 5 that we take up today. If you have ever stood under a waterfall and enjoyed the refreshment of a cold-water drenching from the falling water, then you will appreciate the promise we have today.  It can be likened to being under any cascading water naturally or by a fountain. Take notice of the preposition ‘of’. The Holy Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts. Like a shower of blessings, God the Holy Spirit takes a endless bucket of love and douses our hearts with His love. We belong to God the Father. He has signed, sealed, and truly delivered us to Himself now and forever. But now He is tuned in listening for us to call on Him. When our weak bodies, weak wills, weakened resolves exhibit their presence, how good it is to know it’s not up to us. God is doing so much for us. We need only receive the blessing. 

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May 24 - Perfect Sensible Hope

“And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.”  - Romans 5:5 (NCV)

What might be something we are hoping for today?  Are we certain beyond any doubt we will see it happen or we will receive it?  Perhaps there is a chance that our hope will not be fulfilled. We may experience some of embarrassment when it doesn’t happen because we’ve been bold in our telling everyone about our expectations.  That is disappointing. Sometime we just do not understand why because it seemed like a promise made to us, so hoping for it was not unusual.  When it comes to the promises we have been given by God, we can have hope they will all be fulfilled. Because God made the promise, our hope in their realization is sure.  Our hope will not be disappointed. That in itself is today’s comforting promise from God.  He  promises that His promises which gives to us hope will never let us down.  We will not have any shame for proclaiming our faith in God’s promises.  No doubting, no wavering, only believing by faith.  And the seal of affirmation is God love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.  Perfect sensible hope on that basis. 

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January 21 – Passing the Pouring On

“...and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”   Romans 5:5  (ESV)

We know that the Bible teaches us that the great God of heaven is a God of love.  He made the world and has given life to each of us. He so loved the world that He sent His Son to become our Savior.  We are reminded today that God has poured our His love into our hearts.  It is by His love that He has brought us into His Family. And then He makes His love available for us to live as His children.  When we hope in this promise we will not be put to shame.  We will not be disappointed in this hope because this hope is a sure promise. Yes, friends, God's love is active in our hearts.  It helps us to love Him dearly and then it helps us to love others around us.  God wants us to love those who we are in contact with and it is His love in us that really accomplishes this result.  Let's be sure that we in turn keep our hearts open to pour out God's love for people.  God provides the love and we pass it on in faith believing.  

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September 21 – Trusting our Hope

“...and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul, in writing the letter to the Romans, takes time to encourage the Christians in Rome because they were facing some fierce tribulation and sufferings for their faith.  In the fifth chapter Paul tells them the value of the testing is a series of character developments.  He finishes with the verse we have today. The final result is a hope that means assured expectation.  Our hope is a sure thing and it will not let us down, it will not disappoint.  We will never be put to shame for the hope we get from suffering for Christ.  Knowing that God loves us leads us to trusting His love and that trust results in more than knowing, but also in feeling the love.  We have this expectation because God has poured His love out in our hearts.  This action is done by the Holy Spirit who we have received.  The Holy Spirit was promised to us and sent by the Son from the Father. We are promised a hope that is sure, we can trust it. 

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