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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 19, 2008 Suffering and Endurance and Character and Hope |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by Brenda Kessler
Romans 5:3-5 “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (RSV)
In the first two verses of the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the people of the churches in Rome he tells them that they are in a new relationship with God. They and God are no longer enemies but friends. And then he goes on to use these words in verses three through five about suffering and endurance and character and hope.
My study bible suggests that we “rejoice in our sufferings not ‘because of’ but ‘in.’ Paul does not advocate a morbid view of life but a joyous and triumphant one.” And – “The believer’s hope is not to be equated with unfounded optimism. On the contrary, it is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and objectively demonstrated to us in the death of Christ.”
Have you ever been with someone who was suffering, really suffering? Several months ago I started visiting a member of our congregation who was diagnosed with a very serious illness. I listened, we shared, we prayed. I left after that very first visit knowing that I was in the presence of somebody very special. She and God were good friends. I visited her in her home almost weekly for a time of sharing and praying. After many weeks of treatment it became apparent that the treatment was not working. Her situation became “terminal.” My heart became heavy, very heavy. Unless a miracle happened I would be losing a very dear friend. Her husband would be losing the love of his life, his soul mate. Her young adult children would be losing their wonderfully supportive mother.
And then it happened. Romans 5 verses 3 through 5 came alive for me. Her husband suggested to his sister-in-law that I be left alone for awhile with his wife. At one point his wife, my dying friend, said to me, “Brenda, I’m ready to go home to be with my Jesus.” A couple of days before passing away, she said to her husband, “Honey, I’m going to heaven. I’m so happy, I’m so happy!” Her suffering had produced endurance, endurance had produced character, and character had produced hope.
My friend’s last few days on this earth will always remain a part of me. Because of her hope her husband and I were able to sing Softly and Tenderly to her as she lay dying. Because of her hope her sister was able to sing Softly and Tenderly to her in Korean, her native language. Because of her hope we were able to read Psalm 23 to her as she lay dying. Because of her hope her sister was able to read Psalm 23 to her in Korean.
Was it easy? No. But “…hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”
Prayer: Loving Lord, thank you for people who fill us with your hope. Continue to pour your Holy Spirit into our hearts. Amen.
(Note: I received permission from my friend’s spouse to share these thoughts. The text that appears in red was added by him.)
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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