Every time you watch the news there are items about the sinking economy or violence in our society.  A blanket of despair seems to be enveloping the people of Britain.  There is a need for a people of hope who are holding out the word of life.  We want to encourage you to use the words of Romans chapter 15 verse 13 as a prayer.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Can you imagine the impact of Christians ‘overflowing with hope’ among a desperate and dissatisfied people.  Paul says that to become such a people we need God to fill us with joy and peace.

The key is in trusting God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”   I once stood on the side of a mountain and the wind was blowing at just the right strength for me to lean back and allow the wind to hold me up.  In the same way we need to learn to lean on Lord.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

The reason Paul wants God to fill the Roman Christians with joy and peace as they trust in Him is so that they can become a people of hope.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  This verse starts with the work of the God of Hope and ends with the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can only be a people of hope because of God’s power working in us.

The everyday usage of the work ‘hope’ gives the wrong impression of what Paul wants Christians to be able to offer.  When a vicar asked a dying lady if she was going to heaven she replied, “I hope so”.  We hear people say, “I hope I win the lottery”.  This is not the sort of hope that our society needs.  The hope Paul has in mind is being sure of what we have.  The Christian Gospel offers a certainty of wrongs forgiven and a place in heaven. [Hebrews 10:19-23, Ephesians 1:18]

Our nation needs Christians who can sing in the dungeon at midnight.  Christians who are “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” because of their faith in Christ. [Acts 16:25, 1 Peter 1:8].   Christians overflowing with hope.  If such a Christian handed me a copy of the Gospel of John I think that I would read it.  I would be longing to catch the hope I saw in them.  There is a need for a people of hope who are holding out the word of life. 

Bridge Builders is a fellowship of Christians who want to reach out to others with the good news. Members receive free gospels to use in witnessing, a free introduction pack, encouraging e-mails and a quarterly magazine.

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Written by Dave Bennett - National Director