Three easy steps to
maintaining our connection to God-right? Yes, when we can remember to
follow those steps. In Gill’s Exposition
of the Bible we are reminded that we
are “Rejoicing in hope...of the glory of God.” He says, “…nothing tends
more to animate the people of God to a cheerful serving of him, or to make them
more patient under afflictions, than a hope of being forever with the Lord.”
Our service is not for ourselves, or even for those we are working to help. All our work and life ought to point to
God.
Verses 11 and 12 of Romans 12 together are a summary of the
way we can remain linked to God and God’s love. “Do not lag in
zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in
suffering, persevere in prayer.”
It requires enthusiasm in service as well as remaining in contact through the
good times and bad with hope and patience. Ultimately the only way to do that
is through prayer. In Hebrews 10:36, we are reminded to “persevere so
that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has
promised.”
Matthew Henry’s
Concise Commentary notes, “[God] is honored by our hope and trust in him,
especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for
him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for
God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient
in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of
it.”
We can too easily forget the prayer part of remaining in
connection with God, esp. when we are actively and enthusiastically involved in
a ministry that is close to our heart. Prayer tends to slip to the back of the
line, until we are confronted with a problem. Maybe, if we could keep prayer at
the front of the line, we wouldn’t be caught off guard by challenges…! Prayer
helps us to remain “Patient in affliction” and to “be joyful in hope”. It all
works together. Isn’t that wonderful!
The three steps are:
“Be joyful in
hope” and “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
“[be] Patient in affliction” because “if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:25)
When we are “Faithful in prayer” it joins us with the long line of saints through the ages starting with those in the upper room before Pentecost when “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
Are there steps this week I can take to be more
enthusiastic, joyful in my relationship to God and to stay joined to God in an
active prayer life? Maybe I can look for the good and give others the benefit of the doubt, undergirding it all with intentional prayer, esp. when I feel put out about something or someone...what about you?
Let love be genuine
(sincere, honest); hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another
in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to
strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice
with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one
another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be
wiser than you are
