NT25 FASTChikamu

Day 13: Romans 4-13

Chase Durkin, Young Adults Pastor at UPPERROOM

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5

We can be at peace with God because He is at peace with us. This peace can only come from faith in the finished work of the Cross through Jesus. We no longer have to strive to be at peace; rather, we can now live from it. This is not just a figurative idea; this is the truth. This peace is one of the greatest attributes of our faith. We believe and can continue to do so because we know we have a Father in Heaven who is at peace with us, no matter our present circumstances. This disposition anchors our hearts to hope.

Are you at peace with Him? This posture of peace is vital in our lives as followers of Jesus. I have always seen peace as a womb of sorts, and without it, I do not have a place for the precious gifts of perseverance, character, and hope to be formed and live in me. It is when we are without a foundation of peace that we find our lives lacking the substance to endure trials and tribulations.

Peace is not the fruit of perfect circumstances; it is actually the fruit that endures imperfect circumstances. The peace we claim to have is often revealed in times and seasons where it would make sense to have no peace at all. But be encouraged: as you read the rest of Romans 5, you realize this peace was God’s idea. This is why it is often a challenge to believe—because He thought this for us while we were still sinners and never knew peace could exist. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to reveal to us daily the love of God.

Hope that is not at peace is no hope at all, and peace that does not produce hope is no true peace.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your heart where your peace and hope are today. Ask Him to shed the love of the Father afresh in your heart. If there is a present trial or circumstance, ask Him to anchor you to peace so that hope can be produced.

Look at His face today; all that you need is in Him. He is at peace with you; you can be at peace with Him. That is the truest peace we will ever experience in this life. This is the purest hope that can ever be tasted—a hope that knows no shame, despite what you are going through.

Psalm 34:4-5
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.