Day 7: Romans 15:13
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)
What a powerful verse! First of all, God is the source of true hope. He is completely trustworthy and faithful! Secondly, when we trust in Him, He fills us with joy, peace, and hope!
Okay—I know that doesn’t always happen immediately. You cry out, “Lord, I trust in You!” and then you open your eyes and find yourself in the same hole you were in when you started praying! I went through this while I was in campus. I was having a hard time with the units, and my grades were bad. Every time we had a CAT, I would pray for a breakthrough, then look at the questions and—BOOM!—I didn’t know any of the answers! Still, I continued to trust in God, and He enabled me to graduate.
Overflowing with confident hope is something we all desire, right? Well, according to this verse, it is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us joy and peace, which fuel a hope that sustains us through life’s challenges.
Reflection
Are you willing to trust in God, the source of hope? Are you ready to let the Holy Spirit give you joy and peace as you place your trust in Him? This step requires an element of surrender, and the rewards are truly amazing!
Prayer
Lord, teach me to acknowledge You as my only source of hope. Holy Spirit, I ask You to fill me with joy, peace, and a confident hope in God—one that cannot be shaken, even in the hardest of times. Amen.