When reading the daily news headlines, if I’m not careful, I can find myself becoming almost despondent … oppressed … gloomy … as I consider the evil that has seemed to come out of hiding. 

It’s everywhere. It has always lurked in the shadows, but now it seems to be in plain view—on our television and computer screens, in magazines and newspapers, in the behavior of rich and poor, in the words of young and old. What’s wrong is portrayed as right. What’s right is ridiculed as wrong. What is a lie is spun as truth. And what is truth is exchanged for a lie. While the world seems to be on a rampage of unbridled wickedness, our efforts to give people Jesus seem like spitting into the wind.    

So … what can any of us do when “the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing”? (Psalm 2:1, KJV). Especially when we are facing our own health issues, financial problems, family crises, persecution, reproaches and inadequacies. What can we do? 

This Easter especially, we are reminded that we can rejoice. He’s alive!

Read Romans 5:1-11

REJOICE IN HOPE 

Romans 5:1-2

• Describe our spiritual condition before placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Give phrases from Romans 1:18; 2:5-6, 12; 3:10-12, 23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12.
• What difference does faith in Jesus make to our spiritual condition? Give phrases from John 3:16-18; Romans 3:22; Ephesians 2:4-11, 18-22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
• What is one of the major differences that being reconciled to God—being right with Him—makes on the inside of us? Romans 5:1; 15:13; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20-21.
• Into what are saved sinners given access? Romans 5:2; Ephesians 1:3-8; 2:18-19; Hebrews 10:19-23.
• What is the key mentioned twice in Romans 5:1-2 that unlocks access into God’s presence and His blessings? When did you personally grasp the key and use it yourself?
• Keeping in mind that Biblical hope is not a wish or desire or a “hope-so,” but it is a confidence that we possess what God has promised, summarize how the above verses give you cause to rejoice.  
• How does the resurrection of Jesus affect our hope? 1 Peter 1:3-5.

REJOICE IN HARDSHIPS 

Romans 5:3-8

• What hardships are you currently enduring? Make a list.
• What could be God’s purpose for allowing these hardships into your life? Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4.
• Explain how the story of Lazarus in John 11:1-44 illustrates God’s purpose in allowing His children to endure hardships.
• Are hardships in your life evidence that God does not really love you, or at least that He doesn’t love you as much as those who don’t have hardships? Romans 5:5-8; John 11:3; Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:3-11.
• What command did God give to us through the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4?
• What hardship was Paul enduring when he wrote those words? Philippians 1:12-14.
• How did Paul himself set the example for us of rejoicing in hardships? 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
• How did Jesus set the example for us? Hebrews 12:1-3.
• While enduring hardships, what example are you setting for others?

REJOICE IN HIM 

Romans 5:9-11

• If our spirits are heavy, what are we encouraged to do? Isaiah 61:3.
• Describe the way praise was used and the difference it made when God’s children were facing problems, pressure and the enemy in 2 Chronicles 20:1-29.
• How can you use praise in the same way? Try it.
• What, or who, is the subject of our joy in Romans 5:11?
• What are the specific reasons given that we are to rejoice in Him? Romans 5:9-10.
• Why would we rejoice in the blood of Jesus when it speaks of His death? Give reasons from Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:9-11; John 6:53-54; Ephesians 2:13; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5-6. 
• What does justified mean? Give a dictionary definition and apply it to the position before God that you are given by the blood of Jesus.
• How does this set you free to rejoice? Romans 8:1-4, 32.
• Describe how this joy reverberates in Heaven. Revelation 5:9-14; 12:10-12.
• Write out several prayers of praise that express sheer joy—in who Jesus is, in what He has done for you through His death, in what He has done for you through His resurrection, in what He will do for you at His return.

What an amazing revelation! Rejoicing in hope, in hardships and in Him dispels any despondency over the oppressive evil, divisiveness, anger, chaos, corruption and violence erupting around us. The resurrection of Jesus changes our perspective from one of despair to delight! From defeat to victory! From gloom to glory! This Easter, join me as together we rejoice. And again I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). ©2024 Anne Graham Lotz  

The Scripture quotation was taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version.

This article is adapted from a study originally published in November 2014. 

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.