Freedom Calls

As children of the one true God, saved by the boundless Grace and unwavering Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to embody a peculiar yet profound response to life’s trials.

In Romans 12:12, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

This triad of hope, affliction, and prayer forms the bedrock of our endurance, empowering us to navigate life’s turbulent waters with unwavering trust in our Heavenly Father.

Let’s delve into each aspect, bolstered by the timeless wisdom of revered Christian thinkers and the unshakeable foundation of Scripture.

I. Joyful in Hope (Romans 12:12a)

• Scripture Reference: “Be joyful in hope…” (Romans 12:12a)
• Supporting Scripture:
  • “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
• Charles Spurgeon: “Hope is the grand consolidator, the great encourager, the mighty comforter.” (Morning and Evening, May 10)
• Application: As we fix our gaze on the unwavering promises of God, our hope is kindled, illuminating the darkness and filling our hearts with joy. This hope is not mere optimism but a robust confidence in God’s sovereign goodness. Hesed.

II. Patient in Affliction (Romans 12:12b)

• Scripture Reference: “…patient in affliction…” (Romans 12:12b)
• Supporting Scripture:
  • “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
  • “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
• AW Tozer: “The most profound and effective work of the Spirit is often done in the darkness, when the believer is brought to the end of himself.” (The Root of the Righteous)
• Application: In the crucible of affliction, patience is not passivity but a deliberate choice to trust God’s wisdom, even when our circumstances seem insurmountable. This patience forges within us a resilient faith, capable of withstanding life’s fiercest storms.

III. Faithful in Prayer (Romans 12:12c)

• Scripture Reference: “…faithful in prayer…” (Romans 12:12c)
• Supporting Scripture:
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
  • “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
• CS Lewis: “Prayer doesn’t change God, but it changes him who prays.” (The Efficacy of Prayer)
• Watchman Nee: “The prayer of faith is not the prayer which demands, but the prayer which submits.” (The Prayer of Faith)
• DL Moody: “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” (The Life of Dwight L. Moody)
• Application: Faithfulness in prayer is the lifeblood of our relationship with God, enabling us to commune with Him in every circumstance. Through prayer, we surrender our will to His, aligning our hearts with His eternal purposes.

As we embody the triad of hope, affliction, and prayer, we become beacons of God’s transformative power in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Deepen your walk with God:

• Additional Sermons and Quotes:
  • “The Hope of the Gospel” by John Piper
  • “The Problem of Pain” by CS Lewis
  • “The Power of Prayer” by AW Tozer
  • “The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee

Reflection Questions:

1. How has God’s hope sustained you in times of trial?
2. In what ways are you practicing patience in the midst of affliction?
3. How can you deepen your prayer life to become more faithful in your petitions to God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we navigate the complexities of life, grant us the joy of our hope in You Lord, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer. May our trust in Your sovereignty be the anchor of our souls, guiding us through every storm. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.