HOPE

And HOPE {the cherished desire, expectation of obtainment and success} maketh not ASHAMED{restrained by anticipation of shame or feeling inferior}; because the LOVE {assurance of affection and unselfish loyal and benevolent concern} of God is SHED{poured out} ABROAD{beyond the boundaries} of our hearts by the HOLY Ghost which is given unto us.   Romans 5:5

The definitions of those few words within the context of this scripture are really moving. To think that hope makes us free from even ANTICIPATING shame or feelings of unworthiness is amazing.  And all because of God’s love.  That ASSURANCE of His unmerited, completely selfless care and affection that He POURS out BEYOND the boundaries of our hearts is where our expectation of success is founded.  I  about how the verses before this one are ones that people often skip by.  They just want the HOPE and don’t want to see that you MUST go through some things to get THAT kind of  hope! 

And not only so but we GLORY {to rejoice proudly] in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation WORKETH { to bring to pass; to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion} patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope!  Romans 5:3-4

  

They each one work out the next and so on and so forth bringing about a life filled with Hope! This is why we truly should REJOICE PROUDLY when we face tribulations. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. -  Jeremiah 29:11   This is, and always will be, one of my very favorite verses…. The Lord never does anything without order.  And when my life seems so chaotic and upside down, it is because I am forgetting that HE has a plan and I try to do things on my own; therefore, making things much more difficult.  If I would only just surrender to His will each and every moment of the way; then the “expected” end wouldn’t seem like an impossibility  but more like the promise that it IS… a FULIFILLMENT of hope!