Scripture to Read: Romans 5:5
God continues to encourage us through His abundant grace, love, and mercy, as He uses Paul to share His Truth with us. As we examine Romans 5:5, God unpacks for us His “hope” that is freely given to us through Christ our Lord. Today, people place their “hope” in many things that leave them empty and never satisfied. Of course, nothing this world offers can ever satisfy us. This world can only offer empty promises and dreams that never come true. God even tells us in 1 John 2:15–17, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” So, God warns us not to love the world because it cannot offer us anything of value. But God gives us “good news” in Romans 5:5, “Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” While the world offers us things that will never last, God gives us “hope” that never disappoints. God provides us with the fullness of His love by giving us His Holy Spirit to live in us.
Challenge & Application
What is the difference between what the world offers us and what God, through Christ, offers us?
How are you guarding your heart against chasing the world's empty promises, but instead pursuing Christ and His promises?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!