Romans 15:13 (ESV) -- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
 

I went to watch Michael Jordan play in an exhibition game when I was 11 years old. One of the hopes I had was that he might get a dunk during the game. The lead up to the game was so exciting. We couldn’t wait to see 23 walk onto the court. But the hope, the buildup, was that we would see some classic Air Jordan in action.

Our passage today reminds us of hope. Where would we be without hope? The answer to that is: despair. Without hope, we despair of our circumstances and lives. Hope is an expectation of a future that awaits us that we look forward to. That future hope that Christians cling to is wrapped up in the future God has for His people who are in Christ. That future includes the resurrection of the dead, restoration of our bodies, and a New Heavens and New Earth. Sin will be gone forever. Sickness and death will cease to exist. All things are made new. 

Paul reminds the Roman Christians, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” The God of hope is who we serve. The reason He is the God of hope is He is the giver of hope. Our desire is that the God of hope would fill us with all joy and peace in believing the gospel, and believing God’s promises. 

As we experience this, the power of the Holy Spirit helps us to abound in hope. Our hope abounds, and overflows, as we are filled with joy and peace through our faith. We are not dragged down by all the troubles or fears that pervade this world. Our hope lies beyond the here and now. We know Christ died for sinners and rose again. We know He reigns from Heaven right now. We know He is coming again in glory. We do not despair in a world of troubles and sorrows. We have hope. The God of hope fills us so that we can abound in hope.

Reflection & Journal:

- What is hope?

- Why is hope essential to the Christian life?

- What should a Christian do that finds themselves struggling with despair and hopelessness?