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.
Romans 5:5 (NIV)
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
“By their trust in Christ, God’s people “already” know joy and peace and thus live in hope, absolute certainty regarding the “not yet.” The key to all of this, of course, is the Holy Spirit, who empowers life in the present and guarantees its future consummation – so much so that Paul prays for them to “overflow with hope(!)” by the power of the Spirit.” [G. Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, 623]
Our response to Christ’s sacrificial love is to trust him with all our lives. God’s love has been poured out into our hearts and hope overflows by the power of the Holy Spirit. Like we heard with the image of Niagara Falls [Pastor Gus], we’re not going to be able to contain this love and hope when we’re with Christ. Let’s offer our lives to be where Jesus is and to do what he asks. Our hearts won’t be able to contain but will overflow with the love and hope of God.
Prayer: Lord, you are the source of love and hope. I need you and ask that you would enlarge my heart for your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s worship with “Wellspring” by Leeland. (Click Here)
-JH