August 11, 2020
Peace in a Pandemic
Romans 5:1-11
LeAnne Weisheit
Central Truth
Peace is attainable in the midst of suffering through faith in God.
Key Verse | Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-11
Peace with God Through Faith
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we 1 5:1 Some manuscripts let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith 2 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we 3 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3 rejoice 4 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11 in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Dive Deeper | Romans 5:1-11
2020 has certainly been a year of trials for our world. Everyone has been through suffering because of the pandemic, and everyone's suffering looks different. For some it was health issues or the loss of the loved ones; for others it was unemployment or financial instability. Still for some it was feelings of loneliness, being overwhelmed, doubt, or uncertainty. Whatever your suffering was or has been through the pandemic, my prayer as a follower of Christ is that the Lord has grown you through it. (I say this as I write in May, praying these things have all been resolved by August!)
Suffering is a really difficult thing to understand. As I've taken some time to study it preparing for this devo, there are a few things I'm convinced of.
1) There is only one to blame for it—Satan, the father of lies (see Job's story and also John 8:44).
2) Our Savior can relate to us in our suffering (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15-16).
3) Suffering makes us look more like Jesus. It sanctifies us. It grows us. It produces endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5).
4) God provided many tools for us to help us walk through suffering—His Spirit, His people, His Word (Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15; Psalm 119:165)
Jesus promised His followers that we would face trials (John 16:33), but He also promised He would give us peace so that our hearts would not be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). The Holy Spirit is the One Jesus sent to give us peace. The Spirit is the One who gives us hope in the midst of suffering and the One we can cling to (Romans 5:5).
Whatever trials you have been walking through, whether related to the pandemic or not, you serve a God who sees you. He cares deeply for you. He desires joy for you and provides a means to receive that joy. I'm thankful to be part of a body that perseveres in the midst of trials and rallies around one another to pursue peace together (Romans 14:17-19).
Discussion Questions
1. What suffering did you walk through because of the pandemic?
2. How did you deal with your suffering?
3. How have you sought peace with God?
4. Whom can you encourage and seek peace alongside? Use this resource to encourage someone today!