The Roman empire is an ungodly empire. It was the empire that crucified our Lord Jesus Christ, and many Christians died at their hands, including the apostle Paul and Peter. They persecuted many Christians by forcing them to comply with their traditional religious practices, including worshiping emperors. However, despite the persecution, many people were becoming Christians and spreading across the Roman empire. The apostle wrote the book of Romans to the Christians in Rome to teach and encourage them. He addressed them as loved by God and called them to be God's people. Although the Christians were suffering for their faith, Paul reminded them that God loves them and that they were God's people. The sufferings that they were going through could not be compared with the eternal life that awaits them in Heaven. They learned that their hope was not of this world but in Heaven.
Similarly, as Christians in our time, we are loved by God and called to be God's people. The suffering we are going through cannot be compared to the eternal life that awaits us in Heaven. Suffering is unavoidable in this world. All human beings across the world suffer. People in Ukraine, Myanmar, and other war countries are suffering. Innocent people are dying at the hands of ruthless leaders. Many Christians are being persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus in many parts of the world. But despite these sufferings, All of us Christians have hope because God loves us, and we are His people. No matter what this life throws at us, whether persecution, inflation, sickness, or death, our hope in God will still remain because God's love will keep us.
As we face our day today, no matter how difficult and challenging it is, we need to remember that we have hope for a better life because we are loved by God, and we are His people. Let us fix our faith and hope in God and not in this world.
Ask yourself these questions: Do I believe that God loves me and I am His? What proof that God has given me that He loves me? Where is my hope rest upon?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me and that I am yours. I am encouraged to know that no matter what happens in this world, I will never lose hope because you will take care of me for you love me. Please help me to walk in faith today and never forget that you love me and I am yours. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.