Week of April 12, 2009

“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)

We can safely put our trust in never-failing God. 

The car was packed, and the children were excited as we prepared for a vacation at the beach. When we got into the car, it wouldn’t start. After a look under the hood, my husband said he would have to get a part before we could continue. How disappointed we were!

We might easily become discouraged if we focus on all the things that we can’t count on. We can’t count on other people; they may let us down. We can’t count on technology and machines; sometimes they malfunction. We can’t count on the weather; it changes. We can’t count on our finances; they can crumble. We can’t even count on ourselves; there are all kinds of ways that we might fail. But we can take heart; there is One who never fails! We can safely trust in God, and even when we feel like we cannot hope, the Holy Spirit can fill us with hope.

We begin this week’s reading with Romans 14, where Paul urges believers to serve Christ acceptably to God while they work together for peace and mutual upbuilding. In Romans 15, we find our Key Verse as Paul prays for the people to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The book of Romans concludes with a beautiful doxology in Chapter 16, Verses 25-27.

Our reading moves back in the New Testament to the Gospel of Mark, where we see in Chapters 1 and 2 the ministry of that One on whom we base our hope. We read here how God showed His approval of His beloved Son as He was being baptized by John. Then as we follow Jesus’ ministry of healing, preaching, teaching, and forgiving sins, we see the power of this Lord in whom we hope. Also, in these chapters is Jesus’ call to disciples, who readily responded to Him.

God filled with joy and peace the people to whom Jesus ministered as they believed on Him. We have that same opportunity today to put our faith in God, who sends His Holy Spirit to give us hope.

1. Is there something about which you're feeling hopeless? Can you put your faith in God to fill you with His hope?
2. How can you build up fellow Christians?
3. Can you answer as the disciples did to whatever God has called you to do?