Poured Out

Re:Verse passage – Romans 5:1-8 (day three)

⁵and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Raise your hand if you want suffering! I highly doubt any of us would gladly and willingly accept suffering as a means of understanding God’s love a little more. But, that is what we need sometimes. I love that through Paul here, God reminds us that hard times and rough patches are not worthless. They are a means of producing in us an understanding and witness to God’s immeasurable love, mercy, and grace on us. It is through hard times and rough patches that we come to understand that God truly is capable of always being there with us and guiding us through “to the other side.”

Paul’s words in verse five indicate that God’s love is not just allotted out to us little by little. Rather, it is “poured out.” It is in excess. It is more than enough. Paul’s word usage reminds his readers of the way the Holy Spirit is promised in Acts 2:17-18 and Joel 2:28-29. The Holy Spirit is with those that suffer, so that through suffering we might grow closer to the Lord and understand His love all the more.

If you are in a rough patch, having a difficult time, or suffering right now, be encouraged. It is not worthless. You have the Holy Spirit to help you, guide you, and remind you of the goodness of God! Let your hope reside in the Lord because God will come through.