Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, May 26, 2019
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: God loves us even though we have sinned.
Paul knew as well as anyone what it meant to live with the guilt of sin. Before his conversion, he was a persecutor and murderer of Christians. Yet this God, whose followers he tormented, loved him anyway.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul encouraged those who were still being persecuted. He let them know their suffering was not in vain—it would lead to endurance, character, and hope. Not to say that they ought to seek out suffering, but that their suffering would produce strength.
Paul also made sure they knew that they were loved. Not only by him, but by a God who gave everything for the ones God loves. Despite all our failings, we have a God whose love is limitless, infinite.
Some people have a difficult time with this concept— especially in the church, where many have been abused by the idea that their sin leads to hellfire and damnation. They don’t believe they are worthy of God’s love. But it can be both a difficult thing to hear and a necessary thing to hear. God loves all God’s children. There is nothing we can do that will ever make God stop loving us.
Thank you, God, for loving me always, no matter what! Amen
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