June 4, 2017 ABOUNDING IN HOPE
Romans 15:13-14: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And concerning you, my brethren, I myself am also convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.”
Most would agree that we live in perilous times, and you could also say that the early believers lived in perilous times. However, this passage of scripture, along with many others, speak of the reality of experiencing hope in the midst of troubles. Obviously, there is a difference in the hope that man can have in his or her own strength, and the hope that comes from a belief in all that God has done and said. A man-based hope is dependent on certain circumstances; his hope is fragile and fails at some point. On the contrary, the hope that comes from God is not dependent on circumstances but is based on the faithfulness, and the power of God. The hope that is accompanied by joy and peace comes as a result of believing God. We over-use, and take lightly the word ‘believe.’ By definition, to believe, is to ‘accept something as true.” If we say we ‘believe in God,’ and yet we do not know what He has accomplished on our behalf and we do not know the promises He has made to those who love Him, our ‘belief’ as well as our hope is shallow. The biblical idea of hope is not that everything is going to perfect, or even as we desire things to be, but that in the midst of difficulties, we can experience a hope that transcends the present trials and difficult circumstances. Adverse events occur that are beyond our control, and people may fail us, but the plans and purposes God has for us do not fail-they come to pass. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” Psalm 46:1. It is God’s desire that we abound in the hope that comes as result of believing what He has revealed in His word and what He speaks in our heart through His Holy Spirit. We may not understand how God is going to use the difficulties we experience for our good, but regardless, let us choose to put our total faith and belief in Him knowing that He is in the process of transforming us and He is causing all things to work together for our good, provided we love Him and are called according to His purpose. (See Romans 8:28).
Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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