ROMANS 8
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
– Romans 8:24-30
ROMANS 8 ALL THINGS WORK FOR THOSE WHO TRUST GOD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Are you beset by troubles and challenges in your life?
Have you switched your focus away from your loving God?
When you don’t trust the Lord your God with all your heart
You will find it hard to hope for all his promises in your mind
Remember that when you believed in Jesus, you’re given a Helper
If you do not listen to the Holy Spirit, you will fail and be fearful
All things work together for good to all those who trust God
Never forget to lean on him and not on your own understanding.
“Hope for the best” is an idiomatic expression that dates back to the Roman antiquity from the statesman Cicero but they added “and prepare for the worst” in 16th century England and 19th century novels. Interestingly, Paul wrote to the Romans in this letter about the hope we have in Christ Jesus. If you closely examine it, the idiom has nothing to do with the hope that Paul was talking about in this letter. If you hear this idiom from someone and you’re a Christian, you already know that these are two different hopes we are talking about. The world view is about optimism and positive thinking or somewhat trying to prepare themselves for the worst that might happen, so they can cope with the situation when it comes. The hope that Paul refers to in this letter is opposite of what the world is trying to do when they say that idiom. Hoping for the promises of God that were fulfilled in Christ comes with the trust that God will fulfill his promises. It is not preparing to control outcomes of bad events or situations, but seeing what’s going on in the perspective that God is in control. Instead of fixing what bad things might happen before it happens, believers have the expectancy of the fulfillment of the promise. Even if the worst circumstances happen to them, they know that God allowed it to happen for his own purposes. In the world view, God is not the one they trust but they want to manage what worst thing may befall them. It is a way of preparing their minds and equipping themselves to cope with situations.
REFLECTION
· Do you think Christians should use the idiom “hope for the best?” Why or why not?
