Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom 15:13

I pray that you had a wonderful day of worship with your local church as you gathered with the saints on the Lord’s Day. It is my prayer that you are renewed in faith, hope and love to walk faithfully before the Lord. The journey of life is filled with hills and valleys. Over every horizon are hills of new opportunities surrounded by valleys of difficulty that challenge us to climb to new heights of hope. The scripture passage is a prayer of encouragement for the blessings of God to fill us that we may not despair but have hope. Hope is the expectation of what is sure. True hope comes from God for He is “the God of hope.” The Psalmist wrote “remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope” (Ps 119:49). True hope is found in God and believing His word. Job believed God and trusted Him in life and death. Even though Job suffered great loss, endure much pain and sufferings, he declared with confident assurance and great expectation “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:10). Job’s hope was in the Lord. The child of God can look to God and lean on the word of God with great expectation that “according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet 1:3). The hope that God provides is not some wishful hope that fades, or some maybe or might be kind of hope, but is a living hope that will “fill you with all joy and peace in believing” that your faith will “abound in hope.” Living hope fills and does not faint nor fade. It is an eternal fountain that flows into everlasting life (Jn 4:14). Living hope flows into the uttermost parts of the soul where human hands never touch, or heart can ever resolve. It is hope that abounds to all who believe “through the power of the Holy Ghost.” The Spirit of the Lord liberates the heart (2 Cor 3:17) and fills the soul with “joy and peace.” God is absolute, and we can be sure in Him. His word is truth and gives life to all who believe. Dear friend, “be of good courage” (Ps 31:24) and see the Lord strengthen your heart “that ye may abound in hope.” He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is faithful to be with you unto the end of the age (Mt 28:20). Father, thank You for Your love and gift of hope that You “fill with all joy and peace.” Remind me of Your word that I may always “abound in hope.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.