DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 5, 2026
READ: Romans 5 (Focus vs. 1-5)
MEMORY VERSE
“We know that suffering produces perseverance; . . . and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
BACKGROUND
Jess was getting on in years when he first heard the children’s folktale about the boy and the butterfly. Right away, he understood the story’s lesson on gaining strength from struggle.
In the tale, a boy is given a butterfly cocoon but told not to open it. But as the cocoon slowly twists and shudders in his hand, the boy can’t resist using scissors to split it open so the butterfly inside can escape.
Freed from the struggle, however, the butterfly falls to the ground and dies without ever flying. “What happened?” the boy cries. Jess, after a long life, understood instantly. “The boy prevented the butterfly from using the muscles needed to grow strong and fly.”
The children’s lesson may be a fable, but it affirms the bracing biblical truth taught by Paul to persecuted believers in Jesus in Rome: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
Paul wasn’t saying to celebrate pain or deny its heartbreak. He confirmed instead that God will use life’s troubles to build our character, growing our hope in Him.
It’s in His strength that God develops our trust in His overcoming power. The butterfly was cheated from growing stronger to fly. But in Christ, we can rejoice as struggles lift us with character to God our deliverer.
Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
Paul’s argument throughout the book of Romans is complex, and there’s a reason that it forms the foundation of much of our theology of salvation. Chapter 5 comes as the conclusion to his opening argument—that no one is justified (made right) by God on their own.
The gentiles failed, and the Jews couldn’t perfectly keep the law. Only through faith (modeled by Abraham as Paul points out in the previous chapter) can we enter into a right relationship with God. But that relationship won’t always be framed in roses.
Faith results in more than the hope we have; it’s also experienced in the refinement we undergo as we endure suffering. We become more like Christ as we grow in both character and faith in the midst of our struggles.
Jed Ostoich
APPLICATION
What’s your attitude regarding struggle? How has struggle grown your trust in God?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Faith results in more than the hope we have; it’s also experienced in the refinement we undergo as we endure suffering. We become more like Christ as we grow in both character and faith in the midst of our.” Today’s Insight
PR’s TAKE
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
PRAYER
“As I face life’s struggles, dear Jesus, I thank You for building my character and trust in You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MY STRENGTH IS IN THE LORD” Alicia Williamson
My strength is in the Lord
My strength is in the Lord
His faith is my shield
His words are my sword
My strength is in the Lord
My strength is in the Lord
My strength is in, in the Lord
In the Lord
His faith is my shield
His words are my sword
My strength is in the Lord
O victory comes easy
When I let God take control
When I give up and just let go
To His hands I will take all
I trust Him with my life
Yes, I trust Him with my soul
My strength is in the Lord
My strength is in, in the Lord
In the Lord
My strength is in, in the Lord
In the Lord
His faith is my shield
His words are my sword
My strength is in the Lord
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All of my life
All of my hope
Is in, in the Lord
(My strength is in the Lord)
He’s my all in all
He’s my all in all
My strength, yes
All of my help
Comes from the Lord
My strength is in the Lord, yeah
All that I need
All that I owe
My strength is in the Lord
