Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope is the catalyst of all joy and peace.
Hope is a joyful expectation of a desired end, however, the qualm of the outcome and the fear of the future steals our joy and peace. Many people struggle with ‘hope’ as they are unsure if their deep desire is according to the will of God. Hope is not an ambition to achieve what we want, hope is trusting God to give us the best. God is not our last hope. He is our hope. The difference between blissful imagination of a fairy-tale ending and ‘divine hope’ is where and what we put our trust in. If our trust is in numerology, astronomy or economy our hope is faulty. If we are driven by the fear of a scummy or stormy ending our hope is hoisted on sinking sand. When hope springs from an unshakable trust in God, there will be overflowing joy and peace. Joy and peace will govern our steps. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler (Isaiah 60:17b).
Trust is one step deeper than faith. Faith believes that God can do the miracle but trust believes that God will do it for me. To a heart that trusts God, unconditionally, irrespective of the outcome, the “God of Hope” will slather joy and peace. Anxiously waiting to see the culmination of our uncertainties is not hope but feeble stubble waiting for fluke. ‘Trust in God’ solidifies hope. Divine hope is a conviction that fortifies our heart that our compassionate God will make all things work together for our good. It concretes our mind with tranquility and serenity. Hope rests while waiting, not after the end of an expected yearning.
Hope is the conduit of boldness, buoyancy and blessing:
1. Boldness: Divine hope propels audacious courage and boldness. The boldness is bolstered with the truth that nothing can stop, hinder or delay the will of God. Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold (2 Corinthians 3:12).
2. Buoyancy: Divine hope builds resilience and buoyancy. The hope that hides us under the feathers of the Almighty God abounds as overflowing joy and unshakable peace. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). We are dead to our whims and wishes and are revitalized with God’s vision and virtue.
3. Blessing: Divine hope delivers extraterrestrial blessings. Our trust in God is evaluated by the joy and peace that we enjoy and exhibit while waiting for the breakthrough. He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7). God watches our conundrums, confessions and listens to our conversations. The size of our gift/blessing will be determined by the magnitude of our hope in Him.
Divine hope inundates our heart and mind with joy and peace, while waiting for God.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Prayer: God of Hope please fill me with overflowing joy and peace in the midst of drowning uncertainties, as I wait for your blessings to unfold. Amen.
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