God of Hope

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13

I love this imagery in this verse.  As we believe in Christ, He fills us till we are over flowing with beautiful things.  Things that make life worth living, joy, peace and power!

Joy, not happiness which is fleeting like a mist sprayed into the air on a hot afternoon.  But joy that rains down gently and steadily, soaking the earth with its nurturing goodness.  

Peace that makes all things right, that removes the stain of guilt and hostility.  Peace that fills the chasm of separation from the living God and reconciles a debt paid in full.  

Power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me and who sustains me daily.  The Spirit who fills my life with His life giving presence that overflows into every aspect of my life.  Who enables me to live a life fulfilling and useful for the Kingdom of God.  

So many of us run around looking for more out of life, chasing after the things that bring fleeting happiness.  We live looking for the peace that alludes us at every turn and in every relationship.  We spend countless hours looking for the power to live every day for a purpose.  Yet here in this verse we find all that we are missing, all that we are looking for.  In this verse lays the  answer to all the nagging questions that keep us up at night.  In Him, in Him is the answer.  In Him is all the keys to joy, peace and power.  In Him we have all that we need to live this life to its fullest measure.

Who is “Him”?  He is the Alpha and the Omega, He is the great I AM.  He was before all things and all things find there meaning in Him.  He created everything, He was in the beginning and He made His dwelling with man.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who came to be abused for our transgressions, to carry our burden, our shame, our sin.  He was crushed for our iniquity.  On the cross God the Father poured out all His wrath onto His Son who gladly accepted our penalty and punishment. He died and was buried and was resurrected and ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where He sits till this day. In this Christ defeated sin and death forever and His throne will have no ending.  Those who believe in Him are filled with the Holy Spirit, who seals us and sets us apart.  Through the grace of Christ we have joy, peace and power to live lives fulfilling and with purpose.  Trust in Jesus today and find joy, hope and peace and the power to enjoy them forever!