“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
In various religions and cultures, people worship and rely on multiple gods. Each god is associated with specific needs or desires. For example, they would seek favor from the rain god and the harvest god for fruitful crops or pray to gods of war or sea for success in battle. They even turned to fertility gods or goddesses for the blessing of a child. That’s a lot of hoops to jump through and seems exhausting.
However, in Christianity, we experience a significant shift. Our faith centers around the worship of a single God who encompasses all aspects of life. Throughout Scripture, the Bible reveals that the God of the Old and New Testament, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the one and only God. This God created heaven and earth, reigns as the King of the Universe, and His name is Yahweh. He is the God of everything.
That’s why the apostle Paul, recognizing this truth, asks the God of hope to also fill his readers with joy and peace. Paul understands he doesn’t have to go to three places to find hope, joy, and peace. He can find it all in the One True God. And here’s the amazing part: God is so generous that Paul can boldly ask for overflow. This overflow means that hope, joy, and peace can abound to be shared with others.
So, when you’re in need today, look to God for everything you require. Remember, you serve the God of everything. Need patience? He’s your God. Need love? He’s your God. Need wisdom and insight? He is your God. Need forgiveness, companionship, energy, grace, mercy, or comfort? He’s your God. You can ask Him for whatever you need and even request the overflow to share His blessings with others.
Missed this past Sundays message? WATCH HERE