Rejoice, Endure, Pray
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
What does joy have to do with adversity? At first glance, they seem to be on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum; however, in verse 12 Paul pairs them together in three wise sayings for a reason.
The first command is to rejoice in hope. This should not be too difficult for the Christian. The Bible says that without Christ we are hopeless, but with Him we have every reason to hope. This hope is founded in the gospel of Jesus Christ. By coming to faith in Him, we receive a changed life, adoption into His family, freedom from sin, a restored relationship with God, and ultimately everlasting life in His presence. This unearned reward should fill us with great hope and cause us to rejoice. This is why I believe these statements are connected. When our joy is founded on the truth of the gospel, we are able to be patient in tribulation.
The early Roman Christians Paul was writing to faced tribulations that we can scarcely imagine. They endured persecution at the hands of a government that was both cruel and torturous, often imprisoning and executing believers for their faith. While this kind of persecution has not been widely experienced in our country (though there are still places in the world where believers face such hardships today), it is not the only kind of tribulation Christians will face. Tribulation includes any trial, suffering, hardship, or spiritual attack that brings distress into a believer's life. This is why Paul tells us to be patient in tribulation. This is not passive resignation, but the faith-building patience that draws us closer to the Lord. The only way we can do this is by remembering the promises of God and rejoicing in them. When we rejoice in the hope we have in Christ, we can endure anything.
Yet hope and patience do not sustain themselves. The key to all of this is the final statement: be constant in prayer. Rejoicing in hope and being patient in tribulation can be easy the first time, or even the second time, but what about the hundredth time? Are you still inclined to rejoice and remain patient? The only way to persevere through life and do what Paul is calling us to do is to remain faithful in prayer.
Prayer is the key not only to enduring life, but also to enjoying it. How can a Christian going through loss remain joyful? How can a saint battling cancer remain patient? By being constant in prayer. Prayer is our connection to our Heavenly Father. He is there listening and waiting; a loving Father welcoming His children into His presence.
If you are struggling in this area, I would encourage you to apply this verse backwards. Start with prayer. Reestablish your relationship with the Lord and spend time with Him each day. As that relationship grows, your perspective begins to change. You recognize the hope you have in Christ, and that hope produces joy. Through prayer, we find the strength to endure tribulation and hope that produces joy. Either way you approach this verse, the result is the same– hope, patience, and prayer all direct our eyes back to the Lord. When our focus remains on Him rather than our circumstances, we find both the strength to endure and the joy to rejoice.
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