Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 286

October 13;      Romans 15:4;       132/260(III);        ‘The Wonderful Word’

Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. NLT

This verse is just one more way the Lord reveals His incredible love for us.  We have always needed His hope and encouragement.  Hope means cheerful endurance.  It means patience.  Life can be and often is hectic.  As we read the Word, the Lord exhorts us to be patient, to remain cheerful as we see in the Word His blessings and provisions, that He freely gives to us.  Best of all is that we see in the Word His love and assurance that He is with us and takes good care of us.  The reality of the power of our relationship with Jesus and the privilege we have to fellowship with Him in prayer is such a wonderful encouragement.  When He tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us and that He is with us always, the fear that the devil would try to put on us disappears.  The word encouragement means calling near.  How does the Lord encourage us?  By calling us near to Him by what the Word teaches.  Our fellowship with Jesus can be as close as we want it to be.  He is always there.  The truth He wants us to see in this verse is that we because of our eternal relationship with Jesus can live with cheerful endurance in spite of possible challenging circumstances, knowing that He is calling us near to Him.  The Word teaches that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the blessings of the kingdom of God.  He overcame everything for us and if we believe this and do as this verse says, all of the Lord’s promises will come to pass.