ABOUNDING HOPE, JOY AND PEACE

“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” – Romans 15:13

The WORD of GOD is the Spring of ABOUNDING HOPE, JOY and PEACE: “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” (Rom.15:13). This is the Scripture we began with as we unveiled July Theme: HOPE, JOY, and PEACE in GOD’S WORD. God’s Word produces HOPE in the Believer: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the SCRIPTURES might have HOPE” (v.4). As we believe His Word, the GOD of HOPE fills us with JOY and PEACE to abounding dimensions, while Hope itself continues to abound! These blessings – Hope, Joy and Peace – will flow in and through our lives, seeping into every aspect of life and every dimension of destiny.

GOD is the SOURCE of Living Hope, Joy Unspeakable and Peace that surpasses human understanding. His Word is the Channel of Flow for these blessings of Abundant Life. It is interesting that Romans 15:13 infers the involvement of the Three Persons of the Trinity: God the Father is the God of Hope; Jesus Christ is our Object of Hope in Whom we believe; and the Holy Spirit is the Power that produces Hope, Joy and Peace in us. When we meditate in the scriptures, it gives us Hope; most times it tells us “Fear not”, do not be afraid or do not worry.

It is common for people in the world to be troubled by the circumstances that surround them. Such should not be the portion of the Believer in Christ because we operate with a different set of rules. Believing in Jesus Christ gives us access to the peace, joy and divine hope of God. These are constituents of the fruit of our recreated spirit, which the Spirit of God in us produces: “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, PEACE, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal.5:22-23). Our Hope, Joy and Peace are not based on our circumstances. We should understand this and believe it so we can function in it.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of PEACE and not of evil, to give you a future and a HOPE.” That’s written in the Old Covenant, how much more in the New. When the Holy Spirit fills us up with Hope, Peace and Joy, nothing shakes us anymore; even in the face of adversity, challenges and troubles, we will always be peaceful, joyful and hopeful because we know God is in control, and His thoughts towards us are good! When we learn to take every issue to God in prayer, He will always produce Hope, Joy and Peace in us, and usher us into His Rest of Faith! Three simple steps to abounding Hope, Joy and Peace:

Meditating on God’s Promises for Joy and Peace: This can help shift our focus away from worries, to God’s provision and care for us. The Bible is filled with passages that offer comfort, assurance, and trust in God’s Love and Faithfulness even when everything else seems uncertain (Neh. 8:10; Psa.16:11, 46:1; Jh.14:27; Phi.4:4). Wecan experience abounding Joy and Peace through biblical meditation.

Praying for Joy and Peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phi.4: 6-7). Isaiah 26: 3-4 says, “You will keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa.26:3).

Trusting in God’s Character: God is good, and He is faithful to His promises. Even when we don’t understand why things are happening in our life, we can trust that God is working all things together for your good (Rom.8:28).