[Romans 15, Proverbs 21]

H – Romans 15:5–6, “[5] May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, [6] that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

E – May The God Of …….!

Paul had a great desire for Christians to live in harmony and unity. To accomplish this, more mature Christians were to bear with and build up younger immature Christians (15:1-2). This can be a hard road. It’s one that is easy to give up on, which is why discipleship is lacking in many Christian circles. It is hard. It is not easy. It is trying. Therefore, we need help. We need the God of endurance and encouragement to fill our lives that we would press forward in the messy to accomplish His commission and bring glory to His great name. 

Paul had a great desire to share the Gospel by serving the least of these, the Gentiles. The Gentiles were looked down upon by most of the Jews. Again, when your perception of a specific people group has been swayed by the way you were raised it can be difficult to even have a desire to try. However, when Paul was consumed with the Gospel he humbly took the calling of this ministry and boldly went in proclamation. Paul couldn’t do it in his own power. He needed help, as do we. We need the God of hope to fill our lives with joy and peace. We need the Holy Spirit of God to abound in our lives that others would see our only hope is Jesus. 

Paul had a desire to be with the brothers at Rome. He knew that being around them would refresh him spiritually and encourage him to keep pressing. They would be a help for his journey (15:24). The Lord has established the local church for this reason. We need each other. Together we are called to refresh and encourage one another in the Lord (15:30). Our prayer together is for God’s will to be done. Again, that is not always an easy prayer. Therefore, we need help. We need the God of peace to be with us. It is His peace that gives us comfort to keep pressing in hostile situations after we leave the fellowship headed into unknown territory. Which is why I need to gather together with His people as often as His people gather together. 

A – I need help. I need the God of endurance, encouragement, hope, and peace to fill my life, anew. Remain faithful, seek Him, and follow Him in all of life’s journey. 

R – Lord God, thank you for being the God of endurance, encouragement, hope, and peace for my life. Thank you for giving me your Spirit and never abandoning me. Lord, I pray for the church today. Just as Paul prayed for Rome, Lord I pray for Harmony. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant us to live in harmony and unity. May the God of hope fill us with the Holy Spirit to go and tell. May the God of peace be with us every time we gather to refresh and encourage one another to keep pressing. Lord God, we need you. We need help. 

In Jesus Name!