ROMANS 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

There have been a few times in my life when I have been the recipient of an extravagant gift. I have a supporter of our ministry who has blessed us for a few years now with an amazing gift, one I am surely not worthy of. I have been gifted a truck by a widow in my previous church. You could say I have been filled beyond measure by such gifts.

Paul uses a Greek word in today’s verse which has that same idea. Perisseúō is translated “will abound” and is “(from perí, ‘all-around’ which indicates abundance or surplus) – properly, exceed, go beyond the expected measure, i.e. above and beyond (‘more than . . . ‘); ‘what goes further (more), surpasses.’” (HELPS Word-studies) Paul says the God of hope will fill us with joy and peace so we can be filled beyond measure with hope (His hope) by the Holy Spirit. What a promise!

APPLICATION

This word is used 39 times in the New Testament. Let’s take a look at some of these. This word is used in Matthew 14 and 15 when it refers to the “leftover” bread and fish that Jesus served the 5,000 and then the 4,000. There wasn’t just a little bit leftover. It was an abundance. The baskets overflowed. Jesus never does anything halfway, does He? He made sure there was plenty for all to eat and even for some to be used at a later date.

We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” “Excelling” is the word there. We are to do more than expected, to go beyond in our labor for the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul talks about “the God of all comfort” and how He comforts us so we can comfort others. In verse 5 we read, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” Abundance in sufferings and also in comfort. One leads to the other.

I want you to think about how God’s blessings superabound in your life. Take a minute and list ten ways God has blessed you. Then give Him praise. God’s hope overflows into our life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cherish that. Enjoy it. God is faithful to bless us way beyond what we ask or think.

O Lord, I praise You for the abundance of hope You have given me through Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis).