◄ What Does Romans 15:13 Mean? ►

The God of Hope - Oh what a glorious title and beautiful theme for the triune God Who, in singleness of purpose, is pledged to fill us with all joy, peace, love, and hope, when we simply trust in the pure gospel of the Son of His love. God is no respecter of persons and the joy and peace in believing in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting is for Jew and Gentile alike. The glorious hope we have in Him is for bond and free, male and female, old and young, rich and poor.

There is no one excluded from this glorious promise which already is 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ, according to His riches in mercy... and it encompasses plenteous redemption and abundance of life in the eternal ages to come. It is God, Himself, that has promised to fill us to the brim with a great abundance of spiritual blessings – for the joy of the Lord is our strength, the peace of God is our shield and buckler, and the fellowship of the saints is our precious portion, as our hope overflows in and through Him.

All His promises, whether past, present, or future, are secured in His unchanging character and unchangeable Word, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Not only do we have an assurance of the eternal, heavenly glory that is to come – but His promises include this present age, which means that our entire life is secure in His keeping.

We are safe in the arms of Jesus and nothing can separate us from our glorious God of Hope – neither the various trials of this present life nor the bitter circumstance we all have to face. Neither the ravages of the old sin nature nor the temptations of the enemy who seeks our destruction, can separate us from the love of God or remove the hope that is ours, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul’s dear desire for the Body of Christ is translated into the most beautiful, intercessory prayer: "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." He longs that the people of God are filled to the fullness of Christ and continue to be filled every day of our life with His joy and His peace, as we maintain our trust in Him.

Paul's prayer is that we all may overflow and abound with that blessed hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Such a prayer can only be accomplished through the supernatural work of the indwelling Holy Spirit within the heart and life of a spiritual man or woman. Such a work of the Spirit takes place in the ongoing refining process of sanctification as we die to self, live for Christ, rejoice in the Lord, pray without ceasing, grow in grace, and mature in the faith.

We have the overflowing and unfathomable peace of God within and the glorious hope that is ours in Christ, because of all He is to us, all He has done for us, all He is doing for us as we journey through life, and all that He has promised to us in the days to come.

Oh, what a glorious privilege it is to have our hope in God. May we be motivated to enlarge our perspective of our glorious God of Hope and fix our hope on Him Who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus our Lord. May we continue to trust in His unbreakable Word and live our lives in a manner that honours His holy name.

Loving Father, my heart rejoices as I realise the depth of love You have for me. You truly are my glorious God of Hope, and I thank You that this is not the doubtful 'hope' of the world, but a definite hope that is securely founded on Your unchangeable Word. Enable me to share this truth with those with whom I come in contact today, to Your praise and glory. In Christ's name, AMEN.