Blog post June 27, 2026

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:5

What hope? Verse 2 tells us we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Hope in this context is a confident expectation of our future glory. It is not wishful thinking but a certainty based on God's promises. The glory of God refers to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan, including the believer's glorification. This hope sustains us through trials.

Perseverance in the Christian life is often seen as a process of enduring trials and tribulations with faith. This endurance is not passive but active, involving a steadfast commitment to God's will despite challenge.

He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. His love enables us not only to persevere but to handle our trials differently. To forgive, differently.

A few months after World War II ended, God tells Corrie Ten Boom He wants her to go to Germany to bring the message of forgiveness... Little did she know how this would play out. After speaking at a church in Germany she was approached by a man, He said "you might not recognize me, but I'm one of the SS guards from Ravensbrüeck." She absolutely recognized him! He was one of the cruelest guards. He continues: "I've become a Christian and I know all my sins are forgiven. Now I have asked the Lord that I can ask forgiveness from one of my victims. Please, Mrs. Ten Boom can you forgive me?" He stretches out his hand.... but Corrie cannot. She is full of flashbacks of her suffering sister. There is only bitterness and hatred in her heart.... After God brings some verses to mind, she prays inwardly: "Lord, the only thing I can do is stretch out my hand, You have to do the rest." She stretches out her hand as an act of her will. At that moment, she feels the love of God being poured out in her heart, it goes right through her arm like a warm stream and she says: "Brother, I forgive you."

That is a beautiful example of the fulfillment of "Him giving us His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." We are filled with His love so we can love. We are filled with His love so we can forgive as we have been forgiven. Many are the afflictions and trials of this life. Many offenses will come. But God's Holy Spirit fills His children's hearts with love, that we may behave supernaturally. Endurance is not passive but active, involving a steadfast commitment to God's will despite challenge...

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit and filling our hearts with love. How different that makes us from the world around us. Lord may Your love overflow from each of us today. May we have the strength to forgive as we have been forgiven. I pray in Jesus name. AMEN AMEN