Alone, each word is powerful but when connected, the combination is extremely powerful. Each adjective is used describing its relationship with hope, affliction, and prayer respectfully. St. Paul, in his longest epistle, writes this beautiful trilogy: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
Romans 12 follows an incredibly beautiful doxology to conclude the previous chapter. In particular, the concluding verse: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom 11:36). The theme of chapter 12 is living sacrifices – suggesting to Paul’s readers that we, as Christians, are to offer our total bodies to His service. Each of us receives gifts from the ever-faithful God based on faith. He reminds us that each has different gifts for service, but, if not motivated by love, our service is of questionable value. Beginning in verse nine, St. Paul advocates for serving in brotherly love.
Before delving into Romans 12:12, we all need to be reminded that our God is faithful and has never been (or could be) unfaithful in keeping His promise of love to all generations who have come to faith in the true God. Listen to Moses in Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”
Now, in Romans 12:12, Paul gives all of us in faith some great advice of how to sustain this life through thick and thin. The first statement is joyful in hope. What is hope? Hope is vacant without God! St. Paul reminds his readers in Ephesians, that in Christ we have the eternal hope of being reunited with Him in eternity. But without faith and without God, there is no hope (Eph 2:12-13). The various psalmists speak volumes about hope (10 references), such as: “Put your hope in God (Ps 42:5); “My hope comes from Him (Ps 62:5); “Put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Ps 147:11).
First, God is ever faithful in His love for us and in that, we can be assured of the hope that we have in faith, thus making us joyful in full expectation of the eternal reward awaiting us. The hymnist is bold as he writes, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. And his response is that our hope is totally based on Jesus’ blood and His righteousness to present us blameless before His glorious throne. Finally, before we leave this topic of hope, we can be confident as the writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Hope is the anchor for the soul.” (Heb 6:19) and then again: “Faith is to be sure of what we hope for . . .” (Heb 11:1)
The second statement made in this Romans 12:12 is patient in affliction. One of the most uplifting statements made about affliction is by the psalmist. In the concluding verses of Psalm 107, the psalmist writes: “But He lifted the needy out of their affliction.” (107:41a) St. Paul certainly suffered greatly for the gospel. Paul describes his affliction as a “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Cor. 12:7) He pleaded to God on multiple occasions to remove this thorn, but God simply said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) As Christians, we are NOT exempt from the world and the consequences of our sin – especially the Evil One as he continues to provide roadblocks enroute to our final victory in Christ.
Jesus himself as true Man knew full well what it was like as He endured rejection after rejection; and the final strife during Passover as He remained silent before His tormenters enroute to Calvary. His redemptive act not only gives His followers hope but also, like Jesus, we can be patient in whatever strife may befall us, knowing that He will lift us out of our affliction.
The final statement in this trilogy is faithful in prayer. What better example than the LORD Himself as He was faithful in His prayer for God’s people and all that would come to Him in faith. In John 17, St. John recounts Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” In his long prayer, He first prays for Himself and the pain that He is about to endure. Secondly, He prays for His disciples knowing full well that they will have a “bumpy road” ahead of them. And finally, He prays for all believers asking His Father for spiritual unity in all believers.
Moses reminded his people in Deuteronomy; our God is a faithful God to all who believe in him. We too can be assured that He will hear our prayers. St. Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica in his first letter, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thess. 5:17). As my mentor pastor reminded us in his sermon in 2004, “We lie to God in prayer, if we don’t rely on Him.”
Jesus’ brother, James, reminds his readers that, “The prayer of a righteous man (person) is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16c). I have reminded my various Bible classes the mnemonic: ACTS when praying. A is for adoration. C is for confession. T is for thanksgiving. And S is for supplication. We first recognize God’s greatness for his faithfulness and love for all who believe in Him. Secondly, we confess that we deserve only death but by grace have been granted a newness of life. Thirdly, we give thanks for all His blessings. And finally, we ask Him for those things that we need in this life.
May this exposition on Romans 12:12 be a blessing to you as you ponder your faith walk with Him as we patiently await His trumpet call.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
August 2020
