The God of Hope

Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. The God of Hope.

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 fifteen thirteen. The apostle Paul invokes the Lord as the God of hope in this verse, which is an unusual but important description for God, found nowhere else in the Old or New Testament.

So, how are the two nouns related in this Greek text, which is known as a genitive phrase, the God of hope? The encouraging answer for us as believers in Christ Jesus is twofold. First, our mighty Creator and Redeemer God is the only source who can give true hope. This hope is for the present life. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The hope is also for the life to come, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Even more amazing is that Paul desired that we would abound, or literally overflow, with hope, as the Greek verb implies. God does this through the power of the Holy Ghost, blessing His people with all joy and peace in believing as they trust in Him. Second, God is also the object of our hope. The psalmist declared, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." So we look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, because we live in a sin-cursed world devoid of true hope. We must focus on the God of hope. Not the problems of this life, or our own strength. If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icsr.org/donate.

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