Let us rejoice even in tribulation, praise God, and declare His glory!

When I received the phrase

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2),

I thought of the words "We also rejoice in our sufferings" (v. 3).

The reason we rejoice even in our sufferings is that

we have hope for the glory that will be revealed when God comes

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:21).

Furthermore, we rejoice in our sufferings

because Christ is being preached

(Philippians 1:18).

Therefore, even though we may be imprisoned in the inner prison

(Acts 16:24),

we pray and sing hymns to God (v. 25).

As we declare to our souls, "Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God,"

and seek God's help through supplication,

we continue to praise God because of His help and deliverance

(Psalms 42:5, 11; 43:5).

The reason is that the Lamb who was slain on the cross

is worthy of glory and praise

(Revelation 5:12, 13).

God, who loved us and chose us in Christ before the creation of the world,

predestined us to be adopted as His children through Jesus Christ,

in accordance with His pleasure and will,

to the praise of His glorious grace,

which He has freely given us in the One He loves

(Ephesians 1:4-6).

Therefore, "My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

of your saving acts all day long—

though I know not how to relate them all"

(Psalms 71:15).