Delight: Devotions for Finding JoySample

Basketball legend Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” In spite of this quote, no one would claim Michael Jordan was a failure. But, as talented as he was, his success was never a certainty. Now, imagine someone whose success was guaranteed.

The hope described in Romans 15:7-13 is not the same as the desire for something to turn out the way we want—like our favorite player hitting the game-winning basket. Our hope in God is not based on chance or strong desires, but on certainty. We know this because of Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection. God permanently secured our hope through Jesus. 

This hope is not something that may or may not come through for us—God will always come through. God doesn’t always work things out the way we want Him to, but things always happen just as He intends. 

Hope from God is the source of overflowing joy for those who believe. As we put Him first and see His faithfulness, our relationship with God grows—and our faith and joy grow too.