The Apostle Paul included a curious instruction for us in Romans 12:12:
Does it pique your curiosity too? I can see rejoicing in the hope of salvation from death, the hope of blessings yet to come, and the hope of intervention in our lives. But HOPE in and of itself?
In addition, there are occasions when our hope is desperate, accompanied by impatience, fear, and anxiety—certainly not rejoicing.
So what did Paul mean?
Later in this letter Paul gives a clue in Romans 15:13. There Paul calls God the “God of hope.”
To rejoice in the God of hope, no matter our circumstances, increases our confidence in him to bring us through what we face. Such hope is like an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19), offering stability for our lives. Now that’s something to rejoice in!
I pray the following truths about God will cause more joyful hope to overflow in your heart:
We can depend on his TRUSTWORTHINESS–even in the midst of trouble (Psalm 9:9-10).
God will not permit any troubles to come upon us,
unless he has a specific plan by which great blessing
can come out of the difficulty.
–Peter Marshall
He can wield his REDEEMING POWER over any situation (Matthew 19:26).
There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation,
create something that is surpassingly good.
He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.
–Bishop Moule
In his Word we find his soul-strengthening AFFIRMATION and calming ASSURANCE (Psalm 19:7-8).
His NATURE includes numerous, magnificent attributes, which he employs on our behalf (Psalm 145).
Take note of these examples:
God possesses all strength to help us, all wisdom to guide us,
all mercy to pardon us, all grace to enrich us,
all compassion to comfort us, all goodness to supply us,
all happiness to crown us.
–Thomas Brooks, Puritan Minister
And those descriptors just touch the surface!
God’s SOVEREIGNTY over all things (Jeremiah 32:17) includes the timing of his interventions.
Hope waits because hope believes God works
all things together for our good.
–Shelly Miller(on her blog, Redemption’s Beauty, 11-2-17)
Out of his FAITHFULNESS, God bestows hope. We don’t have to search for it; we don’t have to muster it ourselves (1 Peter 1:3).
Christ proved to be the victorious OVERCOMER, no matter what the world hurled at him (John 16:33): every temptation, every discouragement, every setback, and more. And though we could never measure up to his perfections, he makes us victorious overcomers too (Romans 8:37).
Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips.
–Frances Frangipani
His RESTORATION upon our spirits fortifies hope (Isaiah 41:10).
[God can] avail and restore the beauty and freshness of the blighted oak.
The Divine Gardener is perfect at the task of transforming withered trees.
–Herbert Lockyer, Seasons of the Lord, 7.
God’s MINDFULNESS of us never wavers (Psalm 40:5 ESV).
His EXCELLENCIES defy our ability comprehend (Psalm 145:1-3).
God’s beauty is divine, eternal, and infinite. He is beautiful.
He always has been and eternally will be.
God’s beauty defies our ability to comprehend.
–Charles Simeon, Puritan Minister
God’s loving DETERMINATION keeps him from ever giving up on us (1 Corinthians 1:7 MSG).
If you are seeking after God, you may be sure of this:
God is seeking you much more.
He is the Love and you are His beloved.
He has promised Himself to you.
–John of the Cross, Spanish priest (1542-91)
And when we consider all these attributes of our God of hope—his . . .
Trustworthiness
Redeeming power
Affirmations and Assurances
Nature above reproach
Sovereignty
Faithfulness
Overcoming victory
Restoration
Mindfulness
Excellencies
Determination . . .
. . . we find ourselves rejoicing in confident hope because such truths have TRANSFORMED our spirits.
I pray that’s your experience today!
Art & photo credits: http://www.pexels.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 