I have always struggled to understand Romans. I always felt it was a mix of law and grace. How do those two go together? I do the right things and feel good because I did it! Then I mess up and struggle with guilt and shame. The grace of God is comforting in those times when I wonder what to do. So I double down and try and work harder. Is there a balance?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
I have always found this verse encouraging. Our God is a God of hope. Our God IS our hope… not the law, not Holiness, not marriage, not the new job, not money. So much of the time I have found myself hoping in those things that are up to me. Up to me to figure out how to do or how not to do. Instead, I am learning what it looks like to Hope in God. Hope in who He is. Hope in His character.
I have not found the balance between the law and grace. I doubt I ever will. While I wait, however, I have hope. So…what do I do?
- I continue reading. I read Romans again. I read the old testament. I read the new testament. Time with God will never be wasted.
- I work at having the grace for others that I desire from God.
- I work through my own unmet desires with the help of God as a way of keeping Him as my hope and not the meeting of those desires.
- I keep moving in the direction that I believe God is calling me.
What can you do today to place God as your hope?
Dear God, thank you that you have not left us alone to figure out life, but you have given us direction and you have given yourself. Forgive us for the ways we get it wrong. Help us to give the same grace to others that you give to us. Thank you for the way you move in our lives. Amen.
Mandy (mkaybaldwin)
Sixty-six books in a year 