Romans 5:3-5 Hope Does Not Disappoint

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Observation: 

Definitions

Endurance: the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.

Strong character: good repute, integrity, high moral quality

Confident hope: to look forward to with strong desire and full assurance.

Jesus conquered death and sin and because of Him and through Him we have been given the opportunity and power to do the same. However, when going through trials it feels and looks the opposite of power, in fact feelings of failure and utter weakness seem to be what we are plagued with instead. God often works counter-world. The things that make us physically weak have the ability to make us spiritually strong. If we are God's and we ask God for help we can be assured that He is using dire circumstances to produce endurance, a strong character, and confident hope in Him. He is compelled by who He is to do so, because 

He is love.  His love fills our hearts, and sustains us by reminding us both Who we are and Whose we are.

Application:

I remember sitting in an office long ago and hearing about how I had messed things up, the conversation played to the one I was already having in my head. "Why am I here?" "I'm such a disappointment", "I should just give up and let someone else more qualified take over", and in the middle of the meeting I received a text,from someone I barely knew, with this verse. I kept reading the line "and hope does not disappoint" over and over again. I knew it was God and this was divine encouragement. He was and is telling me that I don't disappoint Him. 

Disappointment means that my performance didn't match expectations. How could God be disappointed in me when He has known from the beginning what my performance will be and He loves me wholly and completely anyway?

Many times difficult circumstances whisper that we should be handing things better; for me personally I think I should be praying more, studying scripture more, serving more, working harder to please God in the midst of this difficulty. There is certainly truth to seeking God, for it pleases Him, however, I believe that these thoughts are counter productive to the love God wants to fill in our hearts through the difficult circumstance. Seeking Him is not the same as performing for Him. Seeking says I trust You, performing for Him says the opposite. 

I do not disappoint God, He loves me soooooo much! He will continue to draw me to Himself, not because of me, but because of Him.

Prayer:

Father, You are my Hope. You anchor my soul in the midst of raging storms. There is no one else for me, You are my God and earnestly I seek You. Help me run the endurance race, fill my heart with more and more of Your love, so that I may pour it out over Your people and give it back to You in praise.