7 December ROMANS 12

Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder

Romans 12:12(MSG) Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Romans 12:12(NWT) Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12(ESV) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. In this verse, Paul encourages us to do three things to help us stay faithful in hard times.

1. Rejoice in the hopeDuring hard times we should persevere; we should not quit. We should rejoice in hope. The hope of what? Knowing that we are not on our own, that we know that God is with us and that we will get through these difficult times.

Romans 5:3-5(NLV) We are glad for our troubles also. We know that troubles help us learn not to give up. When we have learned not to give up, it shows we have stood the test. When we have stood the test, it gives us hope. Hope never makes us ashamed because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.

1. Endure in hard times, don’t quitThe Greek word used for ‘endure’ is often used in the sense of ‘remaining instead of fleeing; persevering; remaining steadfast’. In hard times we must endure; we cannot quit. It is through endurance that we can put our trust in God. It displays our faith, our confident hope in God. When we faithfully serve God, even though that means enduring trials, our faith that God will ultimately reward us is strengthened.

Matthew 24:13(NLT) But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

2 Corinthians 4:8-11(NLT) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.

1. Pray harderDon’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. The Bible is very clear; in difficult times we should pray harder and put our trust in God.

Philippians 4:6-7(TLB) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

Today, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, constantly pray, and know your breakthrough is coming.