Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
I've had the privilege of having over 20,000 conversations with people. It doesn't really matter if somebody talks to me about their marriage. Somebody talks about being discouraged about their job. Somebody calls in and they have questions about their family. There's a recurring theme that people need in their lives.
One big recurring theme that we need is hope. It's hope. Life can throw curveballs at you. Life can be difficult. You can talk to people who might say to you, you're not worth anything. I mean, there's all kinds of things that happen to us that tend to erode away at our hope.
The Gospel of Paul
Our Verse of the Day today is Romans chapter 15, verse 4. "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled."
The great book of Romans—the Gospel of Paul. Somebody once said Romans chapter 3 talks about the sin of man. Chapter 4 talks about being justified. Chapters 5 and 6 talk about being sanctified, and all kinds of wonderful truth.
Then you fast forward to chapter 15, our verse is full of beautiful truth.
Three Ways Scripture Delivers Hope
Very simply in this verse, Romans chapter 15, verse 4, God gives three ways Scripture delivers hope—three ways that Scripture delivers the encouragement that we need to keep going.
I remember one pastor once said: "I feel like I can save the world on Sunday, and I want to throw that towel in on Monday." I mean, that happens to us, doesn't it? We sometimes just want to throw in the towel. Let's look at these encouraging truths.
Number One: The Scriptures Teach Us
Number one, the Scriptures teach us. "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us."
I'm so glad God gave us a Bible full of wisdom, full of direction, full of encouragement, because the Scripture was given to teach us. I love 2 Timothy chapter 3. It's a classic verse. It says: "All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching and reproof and correction."
The Scripture teaches us. It corrects us. It rebukes us. It challenges us. We need the Scriptures to teach us.
Number Two: The Scriptures Encourage Us
Number two, the Scriptures encourage us. This is right there in the verse: "And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled."
Do you know what you need in life? Sometimes you don't need a bunch more information. You just need a swift wind at your back to encourage you to keep going. I remember a professor once told me: "You know what, Rick? There's never a legitimate reason to quit."
It's a good word. Never a reason to quit. We might feel like it, but the Scriptures give us not only teaching, but they encourage you and me.
Number Three: The Scriptures Point Us to Jesus
Finally, the Scriptures point us to Jesus. It's not just a principle. We're not looking at just a bunch of principles in a book, but we're looking at the person, the broader context.
The Bible is all about Jesus Christ. From the moment in Genesis chapter 1, verse 1 when God created the heavens and earth, and man fell in Genesis chapter 3—that was the start of pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, living and dying for you and me, and dying on the cross for all of our sins.
There are a couple application points as we look at this. What do we do with this?
Build a Rhythm of Scripture Intake
Number one: Build a rhythm of Scripture intake. I don't know if you have it in the morning—you get up early in the morning and you read your Bible. You go to bed at night, you read your Bible and pray. You have verses. You carry verses. Memorize them—whatever it might be. Build a habit of having scriptural intake, because the Holy Spirit will take the Word of God that you've learned and apply it in tough circumstances and situations.
If I need hope, the Bible says that the God of hope can give you encouragement. If I'm worried about a situation, 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 7 says: "Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you." I don't know if I really want to trust God, Proverbs chapter 3 says: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart."
Speak Truth That Cultivates Hope
Secondly and finally, speak truth that cultivates hope as you get the Word of God in your mind—and I get it in my mind—because you can't give away the things that you don't possess. Give away the truth. Give away hope.
What do you give away? Well, you can say phrases like, "As the Bible says, God is faithful. Lamentations chapter 3: 'His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.'"
God is more faithful than your feelings are. Whatever it might be, God is doing thousands of things in your life and mind right now. We just don't always see it.
May we endure because we've trusted the Jesus who has given us His Word and wants to give you and me hope.
