HOPE AND JOY

“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and REJOICE IN HOPE of the glory of God” – Romans 5:2

There is a dynamic, strong symbiotic relationship between HOPE and JOY: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and REJOICE IN HOPE of the glory of God” (Rom.5: 1-2). The Bible in Basic English says: “And let us have JOY IN HOPE of the glory of God” (Rom.5:2). Here, Paul links Joy with Hope. Joy can be defined as the passion or emotion excited by “the expectation of good.” The latter phrase – expectation of good – is an excellent expression of Biblical Hope! We can say therefore that Joy is the passion or emotion excited and triggered by Hope!

It’s important to regularly meditate on Biblical Hope, because “the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT” – Joy produced by the Spirit as we meditate on Word of Hope (Rom.14:17). Hope is vital because when we LOSE HOPE in the future or fall into despair, we LOSE JOY, that is, fall into grief or sorrow in the PRESENT because we have no firm foundation for confidence in the FUTURE. In short, the soothing balm of Hope allows us to see heaven through the thickest clouds.

We can therefore speak about the JOY of HOPE, to which Believers in Christ are not strangers. With the exception of present communion with Christ, the Believer’s Joy in this present state must be mainly the Joy of Hope: “It does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is” (1Jh.3:2) – Our Hope. Ultimately, we shall be satisfied when we wake up from the sleep of death in the likeness of Jesus! This Anticipation or Hope of Heaven makes the hurt of earth become tolerable! The pains of time lose their weight when we think of the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory” – Our Future Hope (2Cor.4:17).

JOY grows wonderfully when watered by the Living Hope found in God’s Word of Truth. The more we focus our Telescope of Hope to the sparkly promises of heaven, the Hope of eternity in heaven serves to stir up a lively Joy during our present sojourn on this side of eternity! If our Joy is a low ebb, we only need to drink from the Springs of Hope and the Holy Spirit will empower us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and again “Rejoice” (Phi.4:4). We are able to rejoice knowing that: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom.8:18). By the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit, we can truly Rejoice in Hope!

The certainty of our bright future Hope is the ground for our present Rejoicing: “And not only that, but we also REJOICE in GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (v.11). This Hope-fuelled Joy enables us to live as lights "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" (Phi.2:15). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we’re able to radiate God’s supernatural Joy – distinct from mere happiness – that’s independent of circumstances. Beloved, are you rejoicing in hope? Do you have Joy in the Hope of Glory?