What or who fills you with joy? Do you equate happiness with joy? What or who fills you with peace? Do you think of peace as merely the lack of violence or argument? What or who fills you with hope? Do you equate hope to wishing? How you considered all of these can be guaranteed?
Too many people equate joy to happiness. If they are not happy, they have no joy. Many also think of peace as a lack of violence or argument. They do not believe peace can be found in the midst of war. Many view hope as wishing. When they hope, it is merely wishful thinking.
If we fall into the false beliefs mentioned above, we need to do more reading and studying of our Bibles. The Apostle Paul blesses the church in Rome with his stated in today’s passage. God is a God of hope. That is not wishful thinking. Rather it is a trust in his promises. It is confidence in him doing what he says he will do. Obviously, God is confident that he will fulfill his promises.
Paul asks that God fill the church with joy. This is not mere happiness but an inner joy in the workings, blessings, and plan of God. He asks that God fill them with peace. This is not just the absence of violence, but an inner peace based on our trust that God is in control, regardless of the circumstances. Paul goes on to say that the joy and peace given to us by God will lead us to have the same hope that God has because it comes from the Holy Spirit.
So, when things appear to be hopeless, turn to the God of hope. When happiness is absent, remember your blessings from God, which will bring you joy. When filled with anxiety, worry, fear, and discord, remember that God is in control and receive his peace that goes beyond understanding. Most of all, remember you are not alone. God has promised to always be with us.
I pray we all remember God’s blessings and receive joy. I pray we trust in God’s promises and receive peace. I pray each one of us knows that God is a God of hope and accept his hope in our lives. Receive joy from God. Accept peace from God. Have hope that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Marty Pressey 