So it is the exact midpoint of the week.  Wednesday at noon and while I should be beginning my lunch (cheese sandwiches – don’t judge!), I somehow feel like writing a few words instead.  So I shall do that.  Only a very few words though since I am hungry!  Today read a number of passages in my coffee time, but the words that struck me the most came from Romans 5…the first few verses.  And since they so powerfully rocked me, I shall quote them here:

Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained
our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;
and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,
knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character;
and proven character, hope;
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

That’s Romans 5:1-5.  And truly, reading those words…does that not stir your soul?  Each line more thrilling than the last – a whirlwind of love and glory, a symphony of hope and awe.  I shan’t talk about all these words as my time and abilities don’t stretch that far….but look at that first line: “Therefore, having been justified by faith.”  This is the bedrock of our salvation – and rather than something as grand and magnificent as some great work that we have done…we have been justified(i.e., had righteousness credited to us) because of our faith alone.  Simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and ye shall be saved.  (And at this point I must mention before I forget…that these words in Romans 5 really must be read with the understanding and context of the first four chapters of Romans.  In which, briefly – our sin and utter damning lack of holiness before God demands a response.  There is no one righteous, not even one. And nothing we do in and of ourselves can atone for our sins or is something we can boast in.  The wages of sin is death.  All we can do as we consider our great and overpowering sin before the face of a holy God is…tremble.  And fall flat on our faces before the Almighty.  And wail and weep.  And yet.  There is an Answer.  There is a Hope.  And that Hope is Jesus Christ, in whom is our redemption and our salvation).

Ahem.  So…in returning to my point, we are justified by faith.  How marvelous is that?  Simple, precious, beautiful faith – believing and trusting in God and understanding that He is able and willing and desirous to save us from our sins(from ourselves!).  And that next line…because of our faith, we have peace with God.  How can we possibly react to this.  We – who are dirty and vile and impure and rotten and dark and lost – have peace with God.  The Creator of the universe and the Most Holy One who sits in the heavens.  We have peace with this God.  We should tremble in awe and adoration at these words – how can it be that our God shouldst grant us this peace?  And one more line…this peace is through our Lord Jesus Christ – of course! – because of what He has done for us.  Our God – died – for – us.  So we now stand, not sit or kneel or even flat on our faces as wouldst be appropriate.  We stand in the grace of God.  And our response?  We sing and dance and praise – we exult in hope of the glory of God, for that is from whence all our joy should spring – that God is glorified in all these wondrous things!

And…funnily enough, this passage continues.  You would think it would be a perfect spot to end – exulting in hope of the glory of God, right?  Wrong.  …we exult in our tribulations. Hm, that’s weird.  Tribulations?  Sounds terrible and not at all appropriate to be part of an uplifting and self-affirming passage as this right?  (Well, there’s your first mistake – this is most definitely not a self-affirming passage!!  If you think that’s the purpose of reading Scripture – to uplift and affirm yourself – you are gravely mistaken).  Anyways.  Our tribulations result in perseverance, proven character…and hope.  So next time you encounter tribulations(perhaps later this afternoon?), rejoice.  And seek that perseverance, proven character and hope that is promised here – for truly, this is a promise from God.  What is God teaching you through your tribulations?  Trust in Him, lean on Him and surely you will rejoice as God honours your acknowledgement of Him alone as the sole Sustainer of your soul.

And now that my appetite begs me to eat lunch…how can I end this?  Simply by reminding you that if and as you are a child of God because of your faith in Him then the Holy Spirit has been given to you.  This is true!  And what a miracle – we have God in us.  We have a Comforter with us at all times.  And because of this Spirit, the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.  Let me repeat – the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.  Does that even make sense to you?  It takes me aback.  I question it.  I wonder.  I certainly don’t always feel that.  Yet.  It is true.  As children of God, we have been abundantly and staggeringly blessed with the love of God Himself.  Consider that as you go throughout your day.  Next time you’re tempted to complain or fear or snap…pause.  The love of God has been poured out within your heart.  Stunningly beautiful words.  Meditate on them.  What cause have we for grief and sorrow in the face of such an overwhelming jewel of light and beauty as this?  The love of God has been poured out within your heart.  Remember.