Unshakable strength – enduring hope ∙∙

Unshakable strength – enduring hope ∙∙

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart. – Proverbs 17:3

Romans 5:3-5

 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope.

 5 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.

How is Gold Refined?

Since ancient times, gold has been refined by applying intense heat. The process begins by placing gold ore into a crucible and heating it to a temperature above 1830°F. At this high temperature, the material turns molten. After stirring the mixture, the impurities spread throughout the gold ore and started to rise. The goldsmith then skims these impurities off the surface, ensuring the gold’s purity. This cycle is repeated until the gold reaches a high standard, nearly free of impurities. This method of refining gold is still used today.

How are the Impurities of our Hearts Removed?

Just as gold contains impurities, so do our hearts. How does the Father remove them? He uses the trials and challenges of life as the refining fire to purify us. We call it suffering, sorrow, or affliction because we focus on what is happening to us rather than recognizing what the Father is doing in us.

Transformation Through Trials – the Father’s Perspective

The Father has a clear end goal: to shape us into what He intended for us from eternity past. The Father knows that the refining process is temporary, but the outcome is eternal. He focuses on the desired result rather than the method used. The refining process is simply a way to achieve the desired end. As flawed and self-absorbed beings, we become fixated on our pain and discomfort. The challenges, hardships, and afflictions we encounter can seem overwhelming and discouraging. Our perspective tends to center around ourselves and our struggles, creating a turbulent inner world where our struggles dominate the story.

The apostle Paul explains in Romans 5:3-5: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.”

The Steps of Transformation

Paul describes the step-by-step process of spiritual transformation that occurs through trials and challenges. He begins by recognizing the reality of life’s difficulties. These trials act like “fire,” refining us much as gold is purified through heat. These experiences are not random; a wise and loving Father thoughtfully designs them. Instead of being just obstacles to get through, they offer valuable opportunities for growth.

Endurance (Hupomone) – Step One

What is endurance? Endurance is the ability to remain faithful and steadfast, even in the face of difficult circumstances. Paul explains that trials help us develop endurance. The Greek word translated as “endurance” is hupomone. Hupomone means “more than just patience; it refers to a steadfast, persevering spirit that remains strong under pressure.” Endurance is not passive; it is active. Endurance builds spiritual stamina.

Character (Dokime) – Step Two

Endurance leads to the development of character. The Greek word translated as “character or proven character” is dokime. Dokimerefers to “something that has been tested and approved.” When clay pots were made in the first century, they were placed into a furnace and fired until the intense heat transformed them. The soft clay became a rigid, resilient container. Some of the pots cracked and were discarded. The pots came through the process intact and were stamped: dokimos, “approved.”

What is Proven Character? “Proven character is a deep, inner strength that comes from being tested and remaining faithful.” Like clay pots fired in a furnace, our character is hardened and strengthened through the heat of trials.

The Father is a highly qualified, experienced, and expert spiritual heart surgeon. We could not be in better hands. Each child of the King is born again with congenital spiritual heart conditions.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Albert Einstein sagaciously noted, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

REFLECT & PRAY

David had a tremendous attitude reflected in Psalms 26:2, “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my motives and heart.” It is so easy to “crack” under pressure. This is not the Father’s intention. His goal is that we come through approved, not fractured.

Father, help me change my perspective and see things as You do. Encourage me to focus on the end result and seek to learn whatever You are teaching me.

INSIGHT

Biblical hope – The Buoyant Spirit

Some people appear almost buoyant, regardless of the challenges life presents. They consistently rise to the top, displaying resilience and vitality even in the most challenging circumstances. The Father is actively working in each of His children to cultivate this remarkable quality. His goal is to instill within us an unshakable strength, enduring hope, and a spirit that thrives despite adversity.

Biblical Hope vs. Worldly Hope

Biblical hope is significantly different from the hope typically found in the world. The hope the world offers often amounts to wishful thinking, a desire for a favorable outcome without any certainty. This kind of hope is fragile and can easily lead to disappointment.

In contrast, biblical hope is “confident expectation” that will not lead to disappointment. The Greek word translated as “hope” is elpis. It signifies a “reasonable and confident expectation concerning the future.” “Biblical hope is not just wishing for the best; it is rooted in trusting God’s promises with absolute certainty.”

Romans 5:5 explains that, “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.”

Biblical hope is anchored in the character of God. It is a confident expectation that will never fail because His eternal power and love back it.

The Difference Biblical Hope Makes in Crisis

As William Barclay observed, two people can face the same crisis, yet their responses

can be vastly different:

• One may fall into despair, seeing the crisis as the end of hope.
• The other may rise to the challenge, seeing the crisis as an opportunity for growth and greatness.

The Role of Character

What is Character? Character is “the inner strength and moral quality that defines who we are.” It is shaped by how we respond to life’s challenges. Character is “built through perseverance, integrity, and faithfulness.” In simple terms, character is what remains when we’ve been tested and approved.

The Secret Ingredient

The hope that the Father instills in us is profoundly different because it comes from His loving heart. It is infused with a secret ingredient: His love.

The Father’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. When the Father’s love becomes tangible in our lives, it often manifests as a palpable presence. Many children of the King have experienced this, regrettably, not all of them. This love strengthens our hope and gives us confidence in His promises.

Barclay’s reflects, “When our hope is in the Father’s love for us, it can never be an illusion, for our Father loves us with an everlasting love backed by an eternal power.”

The author of Psalms 66:10 exclaims, “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.”

Gratitude is a matter of attitude. Let us live with gratitude, resilience, and an awareness of the Father’s goodness. “What a great honor and privilege to be a child of the King.”

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Dr. H 2025