Friday, December 13, 2019
The Wonder of
What God Has Done Through His Son:
An Advent Devotional Guide
Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . and we also
exult in our tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, 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 5:1a, 3-5
When I was teaching in China, a student in one of my classes often
brought a piece of needlework with her to class. When we took a break from
work, she stitched. It was a large piece of embroidery, and I commented to her
one day that she was very ambitious because it would take her a long time to
complete the project. She replied in usual Chinese matter-of-factness, “But,
Mrs. Nave, I will learn great patience as I work.”
Right! But immediate-gratification Americans have trouble with that
logic! (And I confess to belonging in this category!)
Look at the Scripture above very closely. All the things that Paul says
are desirable characteristics take time to perfect, and each one seems to lead
to another, almost like building blocks! We have to go through a lot of things
before we can reach the kind of faith that allows us to have such hope
in what God is doing in us that we know we won’t be disappointed! Knowing all
the shortcomings we see in ourselves, we would surely despair were it not true
that we can have hope that “God is
at work within us, helping us to do and to will his good pleasure.” We can’t
do all he expects, be he can! That knowledge gives us hope.
Father, Thank you for caring enough to continue to work in us to produce
enduring hope. We trust you to do it well. Amen
The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His
Son:
An Advent Devotional
Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
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