“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 15:13 NIV)
REFLECTION
How can we overflow with hope when we are battling with all sorts of internal and external issues? Today’s verse makes it clear that it’s possible as we trust in the God of hope. What does trust really mean?
The KJV dictionary defines trust as:
1. Confidence; a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.
He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Prov.29.
https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/trust.html
How do we trust in the Lord? What does that look like to you? For me, it looks like faithfully turning to Him in honest prayer and pondering His perfect promises, intentionally filling my mind with the living and active Word of God, and trusting that the Holy Spirit of God will do what only He can do, in and through me, as I aim to live out what He reveals to me. And however things unfold, seeking to stay close to Him in prayer, mindful of His Word, trusting that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
Let’s not put our trust in transient / temporal things. Let’s trust the truly trustworthy One who made and loves us, and always knows exactly what is needed, when and why.
PRAYER POEM
God of hope ~ You are the only One who is always perfectly wise and kind. Help me to set my mind on things above and more deeply experience and freely share Your love.
