So Much Hope
This summer I discovered something marvelous about hope: you don’t have to come up with it on your own!
Back in June at the Higgs house, hope was in short supply (more on that September 19 on Facebook Live). The One who is hope itself showed me that He can and will provide an overflowing abundance of hope. No charge, no limits, no kidding.
If you could use a fresh measure of hope right about now, get ready for the best news you’ll read today.
May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace
as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
What a feast! Every phrase, every word, is delicious and nutritious, giving your soul the nourishment it needs.
Let’s dive in.
May the God of hope fill you… Romans 15:13
Like everything else in His creation, hope “comes from God” (NLV). He’s in charge of hope. He’s our “source of hope” (GNT). Hope is the very definition of who God is. And friend, He is the “God of your hope” (AMPC). Yours, specifically and personally and individually.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5). It surely does, and when He pours His hope into you, look what comes along for the ride.
…with all joy and peace… Romans 15:13
Okay, not just hope. He also will “fill you completely” (NLT) with “great joy” and “perfect peace” (NIrV). These aren’t simply nice sentiments on a greeting card; these are solid promises from God’s Word.
Ask people what they want most in life, and it’s usually one of these three: hope, joy, or peace. But we don’t have to choose, beloved. God gives us all of these and more.
The truth? Hope, joy, and peace don’t come from any thing or any person. We may love our homes, our cars, our stuff — but any hope, joy, or peace they give us is temporary at best, easily swept away by fires, floods, or hurricanes (still praying for you, friends).
And we are all too aware that our spouses, our kids, our relatives, our BFFs, our neighbors, our coworkers can be taken from us. But what God gives us can never be snatched from our lives.
So how and when does this huge measure of hope start pouring into our hearts?
…as you trust in him,… Romans 15:13
Ah. So we do play a small part. Knowing “the Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:13) makes it possible for us to put our trust in Him.
We can “believe in Him” (HCSB) because He has proven Himself again and again. Every time a flower blooms, every time the sun rises, every time a baby’s cry pierces the air, God is reminding us of His sovereignty, His creative power, His mighty strength.
When you trust in Him, “your believing lives” (MSG). It beats in your heart and echoes through your mind. The reality of God is undeniable. Wherever there is life, there is God, and He is dishing out hope.
…so that you may overflow with hope… Romans 15:13
What a visual! A fountain of hope, like living water, “bubbling over” (AMPC) and “flowing out of you” (ERV), splashing hope on everyone you meet.
God gives us so much hope, we can’t contain it or control it. And who would want to, when our world desperately needs all the hope it can get?
No need to worry about where all your overflow will go. God is, as always, in charge.
…by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Our verse has come full circle, right back to God, whose “life-giving energy” (MSG) never runs out of steam. It’s His power, not ours, that puts hope in motion.
You might want to write this verse on the tablet of your heart for all those days when your hope is running on empty.
May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace
as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
On Tuesday, September 19 at 1:00pm EDT/10:00am PDT, I’ll be doing my very first Facebook Live Event (gulp). Just pop on my Liz Curtis Higgs Facebook Page right before the start time. We’ll spend just 10 minutes together. Okay, maybe 15, but I promise it will be interesting!
So far I’ve only shared my summer journey toward hope with family members and close friends. Now I’ve worked up the courage to tell you. Join me?
Meanwhile I had SO much fun gathering these goodies for you, as we tiptoe toward the release of 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path! Pre-order before October 3 from any retailer (Amazon has a great price), then fill out this simple form, and I’ll autograph your custom book plate and pop 5 free goodies in the mail to you.
Bless you for opening God’s Word with me today!
Your sister, Liz
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