14 February, 2021
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
God of Righteousness, you are love and all of us bonding in sanctified love find you, dear Father, because love is God! With this sublime love, poured into the hearts of those believers who are filled with your grace through justification by Jesus Christ, we enjoy peace and grace for we are covered with your divine favor. Moreover, your love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, given to us by our Messiah, to dwell within the just, guiding us on the path of truth, instructing us in the will of God.
Lord, by our sinfulness, we have fallen short of your glory, but our Savior Jesus’ righteousness has washed us pure of our sins and the condemnation thereof. Our faith has been strengthened and fortified by Jesus revealing the truth of your promises and covenant with us. Christ has redeemed us, but we have to emulate his example and bear the cross of our sufferings on earth, to acquire sonship in your heavenly kingdom.
With increased faith and renewed hope we face our trials with the endurance which the indwelling Spirit anoints us with, and we exult in the knowledge that our God walks with us and that no barrier can separate us from your love. We rejoice in our suffering, for it is temporary and the weeping at night will give way to joy in the morning, for our faith and hope gives us resilience. For those of us justified by Christ’s faithful sacrifice, which he has borne out of your love for us, that same love is poured into our hearts by the power of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen