Peace and suffering
Day 556, Wednesday, Feb. 18
Romans 5:1-11
Chapter 5 begins with what sounds like unmixed optimism: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul then takes a jarring turn, from peace to suffering. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Our faith isn’t built only when we live in the peace and the glory of God, but also when we are suffering. It is through suffering that we learn to persevere, and that perseverance builds our character. Character, he said, leads us to hope.
I’ve always been intrigued by a quotation from Star Wars that sounds similar, but leads in a very different direction. Yoda, in “The Phantom Menace,” said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
In Yoda’s worldly understanding, suffering is an endpoint that leaves us in darkness. Paul’s understanding is that in the kingdom of God, even suffering can be a path to hope in Christ. Our weakness is an opportunity to experience God’s strength. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Psalms 80:1-7
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.
Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
How long, Lord God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Prayer focus
Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.