Hope in God’s Love

Psalm 116, Romans 5:1-8

My Bible records Psalm 116 as “Thanksgiving for Recovery from Illness.” The Psalmist here gives thanks how the Lord has healed him from death, distress, and anguish. He says that God has delivered his eyes from tears and his feet from stumbling. Even though he was greatly afflicted he kept the faith.

Paul in Romans 5 talks about boasting in hope during suffering. While the Psalmist boasts in God’s deliverance from his illness, Paul boasts in God’s character and love shown in the achievement of the sacrificial death of Christ to bring salvation. Paul tells of the peace we have due to this.

Paul goes beyond just remembering God’s deliverance in the past like the Psalmist, but he tells of the good things to come out our of suffering. He even boasts about them. Affliction brings endurance which produces character to which we receive our hope. This is not just an empty wish but is hope that does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love was proven for us that while we were sinners – Christ died for us. God’s love within us will pull us through giving us the fruits of endurance, character, and hope.

I find Psalm 116 a wonderful Psalm to put on a Get Well card or a note of encouragement to someone having a hard time. Romans then offers hope in our sufferings for the fruits they will produce.

We can have faith in and hope in God’s love that God will not only deliver us from suffering but will produce endurance and character in us during our afflictions. Thanks be to God.

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