Filled with All Peace and Joy
Romans 15:13 NIV
"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".
I went through a particularly difficult time several years ago when there was absolutely no joy or peace in my life. Every time I made a mistake, I was quick to condemn myself, angry that I couldn't be the "perfect Christian."
Then one day, I came across Romans 15:13: May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing... That was it. I got it!
I realized that I had plunged into doubt and unbelief, allowing the devil to torment me with negativity, anger, and impatience. In the process, I had forgotten that believing in God and trusting His Word brings peace and hope and overcomes my weakness.
God's Word gave me the answer. Jesus loved me so much that He not only forgave all my sins from the past but also looked ahead and forgave me for those moments of weakness when I'd fail in the future. I don't have to allow Satan to sneak in with questions or unbelief, and you don't either.
Know today that peace, hope and joy are right in front of you. Go to His Word and let it stir up your faith.
Hoping?
Zechariah 9:12 NIV
"Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you"
I have some questions for you:
What are you hoping for?
What are you expecting in life?
Are you looking for something good to happen?
Are you expecting to be disappointed?
How crooked is your path?
So many people are feeling hopeless these days. However, Jesus did not die for us to be hopeless. He died so that we could be full of hope.
The devil wants to steal your hope and he will lie to you. He'll tell you that nothing good can happen in your life or that the things you care about won't last. If you're struggling with a difficult situation, he'll tell you it will never end. But you have to stay full of hope and remember that the devil is a liar. God can change everything! In snap finger quick time Jesus can turn your whole world around and make your crooked path straight again.
Listen to these promises:
Isaiah 42:16 KJV
"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them".
Luke 3:5 KJV
"Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth ... "
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him"
The Bible is literally filled to the brim with messages of Hope. Here are just a few:
Psalm 119:114, Psalm 31:24, Psalm 39:7, Lamentations 3:24, Romans 8:25, Romans 15:4, Proverbs 13:12, Psalm 43:5, Psalm 71:14, Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 3:6, Acts 24:15, Colossians 1:27, Romans 15:13, Psalm 146:5, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 6:19, Psalm 52:9, Ephesians 1:12, Ephesians 4:4, Psalm 27:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 6:11, 1 Peter 1:3, Isaiah 26:3, Micah 7:7 ...
And that! is just the tip of so, so many Passages that speak of Hope.
Our Father is good, and He has good plans for your life. If you will maintain your hope, especially in the midst of troubled and uncertain times, He has promised you "double for your trouble" (see: Isaiah 61:7) . So refuse to give up hope. Start expecting God to do something. And that "something" is going to be really, really awesome!
Repeat After Me:
Satan is a liar and we as the many membered body of Christ will not listen to him and lose hope. We fully expect the Lord Jesus to do great things in (and with) our lives. Of which we will rejoice and give thanks!
