Romans 15:1-13

Be Still: Lord, today open the eyes of my heart. Speak to me through your Word. Guide my steps and lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen

Read: Romans 15:1-13

'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.'  (v13)

Encounter: When it comes to sport, particularly football, my heart has been broken time and again. Each major football tournament, I start by trying to convince myself that I don’t care what happens. But then England begin to win a few games and now we’re in a quarter-final and I’m starting to believe. But then, bang, it’s all over. England has lost and I’m left devastated. As someone once said, ‘It’s the hope that kills you!’

Our true source of hope is found not in a football team, a career, a relationship, our finances, – it’s found in a person, Jesus Christ. Paul is speaking into this stunning reality that in Jesus, the whole world is being gathered together, Jews and Gentiles, to worship as one people. Christ has come to rule in such a way as to bring hope. 

So how do we anchor our lives in the hope we have in Jesus?

In verse 4, Paul says of the Scriptures, '... everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.' 

Each day, reading and reflecting on Scripture, the wonderful story of grace, we are caught up in reminders that God is in control. He can be trusted. We can be hopeful.

And in verse 13 we read that we can 'overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.' The Spirit comes to bring hope. He reveals the truth and enables us to see the bigger picture when life is hard.

Apply: Where are you struggling for hope? Where are you finding it hard to trust in the goodness of God? Is there a verse of Scripture today that can help bring hope in despair? Write it down, speak it over yourself … allow it to bring you hope. And then take some time to pray for the Sprit to fill your heart with hope.

Devote: Lord, may your hope fill my heart today with joy and peace. Help me to trust in you and may my life overflow with this glorious hope.