God -- My Exceeding Hope

Scripture:  Romans 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Are you overflowing with hope?  Is there such an abundance of joy and peace in your life that it infects or affects those around you in your sphere of life?  Hope comes from having a personal relationship and close/intimate fellowship with the Lord.  God is the author of hope.  The more we walk with the Lord, hope (holding on to a powerful/positive expectation) will overflow in our lives, and others around us will notice it.  Additionally, the more we walk with the Lord, the more we will know Him and discern His will for our lives. Aren’t you glad that you have the Comforter – the Holy Spirit, to lead, guide and direct you – giving you hope/peace?   Ephesians 1:18 says “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people.”  Hebrews 10:23 says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  Isaiah 40:31 says “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint. As we hope, trust, obey in the Lord by faith, He will fill us with joy and peace.  

Happiness comes from happenings.  On the other hand, true joy comes from putting our trust in Him.  We can experience joy in the midst of our trials/struggles if our hope is in the Lord!  There is not one day that goes by that the enemy doesn’t try to discourage me in some way.  I have to choose to stay prayed up.  I have to meditate on the Lord/His Word. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength”(Isaiah 26:3-4).  “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalms 1:2).  “I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways” (Psalms 119:15).  “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands” (Psalms 143:5).  “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20-22).

Prayer:  I pray that we will be filled to overflowing with the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus.  May we experience His power, peace, joy, daily as we walk in fellowship with Him.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)