Would it surprise you to learn that the God who created all things and holds all life in the palm of His hand wants you to have hope? He knows the power of hope, and is concerned that you may be living in despair. Romans chapter 15 verse 13 says, "Now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." God is identified as a God of hope. Is that how you would describe Him? Maybe He would be thought of as a God of power, or wisdom, or even grace, but hope might not be first on your list. God is a God of hope, and He can be a source of great hope for you personally. Romans 15 not only tells that God is a God hope, but it tells us how we can receive hope from Him. Verse 13 tells us that God can fill us with all joy and peace in believing. The hope He gives comes from what we believe. Hope is always based on things believed. To have the abundant, everlasting hope of God, what we believe must come from the Word of God. Verse 4 tells us that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we can have hope. This means that God gave us the Bible to teach us the truth, and that He wants us to learn this truth so that we can have hope. Because God wants you to have hope, He gave you the Bible! So, if you really want to have the great hope that God gives, you must diligently read and accept the truth He has given. The hope that comes from the Word of God is certain and abides forever because the Word of God cannot fail and endures forever. So our hope comes from what we believe, and what we believe comes from the Word of God, but verse 13 also reminds us that our faith is to be filled with joy and peace. Where does the joy and peace of our believing come from? It comes first of all from Jesus Christ Himself. When we believe the Word of God and are led to see our need for the salvation provided by Jesus Christ, we experience the joy and peace of believing. The God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing so that we can now abound with hope. We can live each day with a hope that fills us and overflows to those around us. But verse 13 secondly reminds us that being filled with the joy and peace of believing, and abounding in hope are by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God leads us to truth God has given, draws us to faith in Jesus Christ, fill us with the joy and peace of believing in Him, and causes us to live in great hope. God gives hope! Maybe you've never had this hope. Read the Bible, study the gospel of John, ask God to give you the joy and peace of believing in Him. Maybe you need to be filled with this hope once again. Somehow, although you've had this abundant hope in days past, you are now weighed down with disappointment and despair. God, by the power of His Spirit wants to fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you can abound in hope today. Ask Him. He is a generous God who wants you to have hope.
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