DEVOTION – DAY 433

Romans 15:13 “The God Of Hope”

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.”

The apostle Paul wrote these verses to instruct us about hope. First, all hope that a Christian possess comes from God for He is the God of hope. Second, God gives hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Third, it is impossible for anyone to create hope by their own human effort. 

This is because hope that the Bible talks about is not some form of wishful thinking. It is not about hoping that it will not rain the next day. Meaning that we think it may or may not rain, and we are not sure. So, we hope it will not rain. That is not what hope means in the Bible. The Bible does not deal with unfounded optimism. Hope in the Bible is a confident expectation and blessed assurance of a future. Hope is based on God’s love and is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. Thus, when we say we hope to see our Christians loved ones in heaven when they passed away, we say it with confident expectation to see them one day in the future when we meet in heaven. Such hope gives us joy and peace.

Recently, we were notified that a relative had suddenly passed away. There were no earlier signs of illness. One moment, she was well and the next, she had died. She was 85 years old. We recalled that when we saw her some months back, she was alert and well. There was an opportunity to share with her the gospel message. She listened and she understood. When asked if she would open her heart to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she agreed. She willingly said the sinners’ prayer. Her decision meant that we can hope to see her one day when it is our turn to go to Heaven. We have a confident knowledge that she is now home with the Lord. That knowledge comforted us and gave us peace even though we may be saddened by her sudden departure.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love and mercy. Thank you for giving us hope that rests on who you are and on your Word. Please help us to always trust in you and your Word. We pray this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How does the word “hope” used in the Bible offer you peace and joy? Share.
  2. Why is a Christian’s hope more powerful than the hope that others try to exercise in their lives today? Discuss.
  3. In what areas do you have hope that gives you joy and peace? Share.