Day 24 - 40 Days of JOY
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of JOY
Day 24 | HOPE, JOY, AND PEACE
40 Days of JOY
Day 24 | HOPE, JOY, AND PEACE
HOPE, JOY, AND PEACE
Romans 15:13
“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.”
Sometimes, it’s fun to pick out the KEY words in a verse of Scripture.
In this verse, there are many KEY words: God, hope, joy, peace, trust, overflow, and Holy Spirit.
Paul is sharing what we might call a “benediction.” A benediction is words of blessing and uplift to a people at the end of a service – or in this case – near the end of his letter to the Christians in Rome.
And back in those days, just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians (aka Followers of Jesus or Followers of The Way) were not well regarded within the Roman government and thus were persecuted by the Romans for their faith in Christ.
So, Paul’s “benediction” or blessing was probably very much appreciated by the church there.
“May the God of HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY and peace.” When we experience tough times, the things Paul mentioned here are all things that we need.
I guess that YOU TOO could use a dose of HOPE and JOY and PEACE. So much is going on in our world, in our country. So much is unknown. So many people are looking DOWN on religion in general and Christianity in particular. Our nation’s history is being attacked. Our founders are being denigrated and are not here to defend themselves.
Thus, WE NEED a hefty dose of HOPE and JOY and PEACE. How do we get that? “…as you trust in HIM.” Then we shall OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: LORD, you know how much I need HOPE today. And JOY and PEACE. I do trust in You. Help me where I’m weak in my trust and help me to be strong so that I may overflow with Your hope by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Romans 15:13
“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.”
Sometimes, it’s fun to pick out the KEY words in a verse of Scripture.
In this verse, there are many KEY words: God, hope, joy, peace, trust, overflow, and Holy Spirit.
Paul is sharing what we might call a “benediction.” A benediction is words of blessing and uplift to a people at the end of a service – or in this case – near the end of his letter to the Christians in Rome.
And back in those days, just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians (aka Followers of Jesus or Followers of The Way) were not well regarded within the Roman government and thus were persecuted by the Romans for their faith in Christ.
So, Paul’s “benediction” or blessing was probably very much appreciated by the church there.
“May the God of HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY and peace.” When we experience tough times, the things Paul mentioned here are all things that we need.
I guess that YOU TOO could use a dose of HOPE and JOY and PEACE. So much is going on in our world, in our country. So much is unknown. So many people are looking DOWN on religion in general and Christianity in particular. Our nation’s history is being attacked. Our founders are being denigrated and are not here to defend themselves.
Thus, WE NEED a hefty dose of HOPE and JOY and PEACE. How do we get that? “…as you trust in HIM.” Then we shall OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: LORD, you know how much I need HOPE today. And JOY and PEACE. I do trust in You. Help me where I’m weak in my trust and help me to be strong so that I may overflow with Your hope by the Holy Spirit. Amen.