Oh, how I love closing out the week with this verse! It’s become a favorite and so dear to my heart. Our God is the God of hope. He is the God of hope in any and every circumstance and chapter of our lives. When we are tempted to worry or despair over anything, we can remind ourselves of this scriptural promise from God. The Greek word for believing here is pisteuo – meaning to put one’s faith in, trust in, to put in trust, with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow – that’s our only part. As we choose to place whatever is troubling our hearts in trust with God, He, in turn, floods us with hope, joy, and peace. What does that look like? For me, it’s giving the concern to Him in prayer and leaving it there. I then invite Him to help me to refocus on His kingdom assignments for me that day, and before I know it, my heart is light and filled with His presence. I’m no longer ruminating on my troubles.
Here’s one more nugget from this verse. The Greek word for abound is perisseuo which means to have in abundance, more than enough, overflow, to have an excessive amount of something – who wouldn’t want an excessive amount of hope, joy, and peace?! Lastly, something I’ve noticed that blesses me so much…my overflowing, more than enough, excessive amount of hope, joy, and peace is contagious to those around me. Glory!
Remember – What’s our part? Believing – Trusting. God’s part? He fills us with Hope, Joy, and Peace by the power of the Holy Spirit.