God of Hope
Abounding Through the Power of the Spirit
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 15:13 NKJV - 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.
OBSERVATION:
As Paul begins to close his letter to the Romans, he turns our attention to hope—specifically, the hope found in the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Without this hope, we would have no assurance that the finished work of Christ on the cross remains active and sufficient for today. But because of this hope, we know that what Jesus accomplished is at work in us even now.
What is the difference between hope and the hope taught in the Bible? In the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking; it is a confidence in future blessings grounded in God’s promise and character, all rooted in trust that God will do what He has promised.
Wishful thinking says, “I hope it works out.” Biblical hope says, “I am confident it will because God has said so.”
The opposite of joy and peace is hopelessness and despair.
APPLICATION:
If you are experiencing hopelessness and despair, it may be that your hope is in something other than the source of hope – God.
Biblical hope doesn’t come from circumstances, people, or even ourselves—it comes from God alone. He is the God of hope, and He has never broken His promise. Whatever He has spoken, He will fulfill.
This confidence in the hope of God brings about an abounding hope – Paul used a similar term for grace – super-abounding.
Romans 15:13 NKJV - 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.
OBSERVATION:
As Paul begins to close his letter to the Romans, he turns our attention to hope—specifically, the hope found in the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Without this hope, we would have no assurance that the finished work of Christ on the cross remains active and sufficient for today. But because of this hope, we know that what Jesus accomplished is at work in us even now.
What is the difference between hope and the hope taught in the Bible? In the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking; it is a confidence in future blessings grounded in God’s promise and character, all rooted in trust that God will do what He has promised.
Wishful thinking says, “I hope it works out.” Biblical hope says, “I am confident it will because God has said so.”
The opposite of joy and peace is hopelessness and despair.
APPLICATION:
If you are experiencing hopelessness and despair, it may be that your hope is in something other than the source of hope – God.
Biblical hope doesn’t come from circumstances, people, or even ourselves—it comes from God alone. He is the God of hope, and He has never broken His promise. Whatever He has spoken, He will fulfill.
This confidence in the hope of God brings about an abounding hope – Paul used a similar term for grace – super-abounding.
God makes His grace super-abound over our abounding sin! – David Guzik
Paul speaks from personal experience. He spent many years trying to transform his wretched state into something holy and acceptable, only to conclude: “What a wretched man I am!”
It is worth bearing in mind that the great saints through the ages do not commonly say, ‘How good I am!’ Rather, they are apt to bewail their sinfulness. – Leon Morris.
In the same way, His hope super-abounds in us—overflowing, strengthening, and anchoring us through every storm.
This super-abounding hope is made possible by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised:
John 14:16-18 NKJV - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:26-27 NKJV - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Today, have confidence in God and His word. He is the source of Hope! His promises will never fail. He will do what He says He will do. May you be filled (super-abounding) with all joy and peace.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank You for this sure and true hope. Thank You for the joy and peace I can have because You keep Your word. Let the joy and peace that come from confidence in Your word, through the Holy Spirit, overflow in me today.
This super-abounding hope is made possible by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised:
John 14:16-18 NKJV - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:26-27 NKJV - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Today, have confidence in God and His word. He is the source of Hope! His promises will never fail. He will do what He says He will do. May you be filled (super-abounding) with all joy and peace.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank You for this sure and true hope. Thank You for the joy and peace I can have because You keep Your word. Let the joy and peace that come from confidence in Your word, through the Holy Spirit, overflow in me today.
True hope is confident trust in God’s promises, and through the Holy Spirit, He fills us with overflowing joy and peace as we believe.
Posted in 06 - Romans
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Words Spoken at the Right TimeHe Will SaveShining as the StarSOAPRepentance: It’s a Good ThingDawning of a New LifePerfect Not PerfectionThe Cure for AnxietyThe Way We Think About and Treat OthersRight AwayTax Collectors and SinnersChoosing Christ Above AllThe Yoke of LearningHope In His NameWhere Did He Learn ThisImmediatelyFrom the HeartOn This RockMustard Seed FaithTrue HumilityMission ImpossibleMoved with Compassion
February
Change Your MindInvitationDrop the MaskGood News ProclaimedDid or Did NotYour Accent Gives You AwayEli, Eli, Lama SabachthaniThe EndIf You Are WillingSins Are ForgivenCrazy!Silence! Be Still!Saw and Heard – Jesus Something BlessedEphphathaRight PerspectiveSalt and PeaceServe Not ServedRemoving DifficultiesAbundance vs Poverty
March
Never FailAnointing, Betrayal, and DenialCarry Jesus’s CrossRolling StonesGod Will Never FailSalvation In Three StoriesSlaves and SandalsThe Lord's Favor Has ComeCalling All SinnersActing As ChildrenDo You See This WomanPreaching and Announcing the Good NewsWhen We Can’tGo and Do the SameHow You Should PraySet on FireOne More ChanceTake the Lowest PlaceNotoriously Lost, But Now FoundHow Great a ChasmFaith to ForgivePray and Never Give Up
April
The Way to PeaceCornerstoneGiven EverythingThat’s Enough EntitledEarly on a Sunday MorningFull of Grace and TruthDo Whatever He Tells YouJoy CompleteBelieve What Jesus SaidWhen Traditions Get In The WayBelieve and KnowKnow the WordDisciples – Know the Word, Truth, and FreedomI’m The OneEternal Life & Eternal SecurityLoose Him, and Let Him GoLifted UpLast WordsBelieveChristlike LoveSorrow To Joy