Peace, Joy And Hope

-April 19, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday.

“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.”

(Romans 15:13).

Paul was very practical in his writings in the NT. He wrote his epistles to individuals such as Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, and to churches such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. Today’s verse is one of the most encouraging in the NT. Paul uses three words over and over in his writings: peace, joy, and hope.

God is the God of hope. He raised Jesus from the dead and promises that He will come again, and we will be with Him forever in heaven. The hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.” Hope always looks forward to the future to keep pressing on in the present. As He has been with us in the past, we can take solace in what lies ahead for us. As our pastor often says, “The best is yet to come.”

• Peace – Peace is so needed in a topsy turvy, ever changing, fearful and uncertain world. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27, “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.” When we are saved we have peace with God; as we live, He gives us the peace of God that passes all understanding. We just need to pray and thank Him, and not be anxious.

• Joy – Just as the world cannot understand the peace we experience, even in troubled times, so it cannot know true joy outside of Jesus. The world has joy only in joyful times, we have the inner joy at all times. The joy comes from our relationship with Jesus, not from our circumstances. It says In Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

• Hope – We can’t live victoriously if we are constantly carrying the burdens of the past. The devil always reminds us of our failures, sins, and mistakes. The Lord however, reminds us that He has forgiven us and given us so many blessings. The hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” says, “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow — Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!”

Let us then rejoice in our peace, joy and hope that come from the Lord and reign in our hearts. May His will be done in our lives today. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Have a blessed day in all you do. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal care,

Dean