“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

~ Romans 15:13 ~

            God is the author of hope.  His pattern is to always save the best for last.  The best, the scripture reveals is set in transcendent language.  Paul caught up to the third heaven says,

“how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor. 12:4)

Then speaking of the ages to come says,

“that…He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7)

The best will keep getting better as God is abundant in glory as the Father of glory, and, Christ, the Lord of glory.  Undoubtedly,

“…the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 14:17) 

The righteousness, peace, and joy in that future time will be unparalleled.  The righteousness, peace, and joy of this life, of this world that is absent of God is corrupt, fleeting, and is fading.  Although, this present evil world can fill you and make you full of its things – the end will be destruction.  This world has no hope and  therefore all righteousness, peace, and joy is a façade for corruption and greed.  While this world can do nothing for us and although we wait to put off hope to realize Him and His things in fullness, our hope is what God desires to use to fill us with all joy and peace.

The psalmist says at God’s right hand there is “fullness of joy”.  We have the privilege of the excellency of knowing Christ Who is at His right hand.  We do not need to wait for the fruit of the Spirit regarding His joy and peace until that day, but to be filled with it now.  We can cast off fear and its fruit and thus experience the power of the Holy Ghost in the inner man to save us from the inward effects of the bondage of corruption of this present world. 

We therefore have a great expectation that isn’t simply produced to match ordinary worldly happiness, but that exceeds in extraordinary joy.  We have a good hope that isn’t a temporary fleshly reprieve from difficulties, but an eternal peace when we gaze upon Him and know His things, even in the midst of suffering.  Yet, with the unworldly joy and peace that the God of hope has to fill us with, we come to learn that it perpetuates itself, it grows, it is constant, it enlarges as God desires “that ye may abound in hope”.

Verily, our Father has granted to us things that this world cannot offer and is the remedy for worldly problems and is the source of strength to carry out His will in and through all things. 

Look Up,

Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher