“May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.”
Romans 15:13 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
Hope, the anticipation of something good, is a central theme in this passage. Paul draws our attention to a key aspect of God’s unchanging character, the God of hope. Our hope is founded on Christ Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who willingly endured the cross to reconcile us with God. This act of selflessness by Jesus reminds us that even in the face of adversity, hope can prevail. (See Hebrews 12:2)
This passage asks God, who embodies all good, to fill us with joy and peace. Joy and peace come from believing and having faith in Jesus. Our belief is not grounded in a flimsy wish but in the solid knowledge that Christ is the Savior who died for the sins of the world so that those who believe in Him will have everlasting life. (See John 3:16) Joy springs from knowing that this present life is not all there is. Eternity is coming. Peace (the assurance that our eternity is secure with Christ) comes as we pray to God about all our anxieties, sorrows, fears, and requests. (See Philippians 4:7) The Holy Spirit will strengthen our hearts, helping us to have an abundance of gracious hope as we remember the goodness of God.
A Touch of Grace:
What leaves you feeling hopeless?
What strengthens your hope?
Grace Application:
Hope. We all need hope, especially when life is hard and we face various trials. Unfortunately, it’s easy to slip into a place of hopelessness when life is hard, and so much of what we hoped for hasn’t happened. Perhaps instead of the good things we expected, our fears have been realized: the death of a loved one, financial loss, complicated relationships, the list could keep going.
Our hope and what we place it in reflect our beliefs. If we anchor our hope in transient things like emotions, which can change in an instant, material possessions, which can break or lose their value, or in people meeting our expectations (which is not always possible), we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. As humans, we grapple with our daily struggles against our weaknesses and sins, so our hope must be anchored in Jesus, who has made a way for us to be reconciled with God.
God gives us hope when we remember that He is in control and plans to bring us home to Him. This ‘home’ is not just a physical place but a state of being in His presence, where we are fully known and loved. He brings joy and peace when we trust Him, especially with the complex parts of life. Peace and joy depend not on our circumstances but on our relationship with Him. Peace and joy are deeper than feelings and are possible even in the darkest times because God is always with us, even when we don’t feel His presence. (See Psalm 139)
If you are feeling hopeless, please let me know. My heart aches for those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and feel hopeless about what’s to come. However, if you do know Christ as Savior and feel hopeless at times (I struggle with this too), I would love to pray with you and encourage you to ‘Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope.’ (Psalm 119:49) Remember the truth that God abounds in giving gracious hope.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ, thankful that You are my reason to hope. Because You sent Jesus Christ to die for my sins, I have the hope of Heaven. Forgive me for the times I’ve put my hope in worthless things or allowed my feelings to drag me down into the pit of hopelessness. Holy Spirit, strengthen my heart to remember the joy and peace that come from placing my hope in God’s promises. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubt, please call out to God so all doubt is erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**