God of Hope

Around 57 BC, at the beating heart of the Roman empire, a letter was received by Christians, both of Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, through the penmanship of the Apostle Paul. His prayer was as follows:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

The friendship of the Holy Spirit, to come full circle, is your greatest source of hope when persistent sadness attempts to pull you down.To become acquainted with the God of Hope is a matter of interacting with the indwelling Spirit of God who made your frame His dwelling place on the day of your salvation. The confession of your mouth that Jesus is Lord was a welcome mat. The belief in your heart that God raised him from the dead etched your name in the Book of Life; now a name amongst those who will be raised at the final trumpet. The same Spirit that hovered over the waters when ‘Let there be light!’ was uttered from the mouth of the Father is the same Spirit that lives in you. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

And what life that is! What power that is! What strength that is!

The Holy Spirit knows the intricacies of your heart. He is the Comforter of your soul (John 14:26), sent specifically by Jesus Himself to console, comfort, strengthen, teach, help, and advise you. Take strength in understanding that you are not left to disintegrate in loneliness, sadness, or a lackluster existence. Take heart, for He is your indwelling ever-present help in trouble; God within.

Reflection

The comfort and healing we receive from the Holy Spirit is hard to match. He knows exactly how to address past traumas in a tender and loving way, while still redirecting our mind, will, and emotions to align with Truth. Take some time to sit in the presence of God and let your heart be open to receive His love. Greet the Holy Spirit as a person, and practice listening to what He responds when you ask, “How do you feel towards me?” Let the richness of His mercy rest over you today.

Featured Author: Alicia Louise | Illinois, USA