Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:1-5, Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and 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.

The peace that passes all understanding comes to us through the Lord Jesus Christ; we tend to think of peace as part of our condition. His peace is far beyond that and even when our condition has suffering, His peace is still granted to us. Paul speaks from experience, knowing that there is more to it than our seemingly hopeless condition when we are in Christ. Even in suffering, God has his purpose and He draws us closer to Him as we endure. He shapes us and proves us and shows us that in Him we can place all of our hope! Do we recognize the great gifts that He offers us?

Pour out Your spirit upon us, open your hearts to receive Your Holy Spirit who has been given to us!

ESV Lectionary