The God of hope and the abounding Holy Spirit

If our hope is not in Christ Jesus, the Word of God or the promises now and to come soon (Revelation 21:4), then we will eventually

Romans 15:13

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.

• One of the most difficult things I have experienced in my walk of faith is finding true joy and peace in believing. Not because I do not believe (I have held on for 19 years almost), but that I have often wondered how the suffering I faced has glorified God in any way, shape or form. And I know that I am not the only one who struggles with them. Not a ‘doubt’ of salvation per se, but if I am doing ‘too much wrong’ and bringing my Father in heaven to gradually feel ‘done’ with me.

• The reality is that we have a joy, peace and faith that ‘surpasses all understanding’. In other words, the hope that we have is not some mere feeling or emotion, but a Living Hope that rests ultimately in two things: What Jesus did on the cross for you and me, and then in His (soon) triumphant return. If we have any REAL and TRUE hope, it is in the coming reality of Revelation 21:4, when God Himself will ‘wipe away all tears’.

• Yes, as believers living in a broken and hurting world, we will face difficulties and challenges which bring us to tears and even desiring to give up forever. But when we look at examples of faith like the patriarchs of our faith, the disciples, the apostles and even the underground church who literally lays down their lives for Jesus from past centuries and even right now as you read this, we understand more and more that Jesus is both worth living for and dying for. We cry Maranatha even in all of this because we proclaim:

“Lord Jesus, whether we live or die, we hope in Your triumphant revealing at the end of this wicked age. We lay it all down before Your feet and humble ourselves before You…”