And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. — Romans 5:5

Hope has become such a “weak” word in our language today. It’s not even close to a good translation of what most New Testament passages mean. Hope is knowing that what we think will happen will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have spiritual confidence because our hearts are filled with more than just a wish, an emotion, or a belief. God himself lives in us through the Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus gives us the Spirit as a gift from God (Titus 3:3–7). The Spirit cleans us (1 Corinthians 6:11), makes us part of the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), and lives inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds God’s love to that list of good things that come from God being in us. We don’t just have it; God keeps adding to it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

 

Thought

Hope has become such a “weak” word in our language today. It’s not even close to a good translation of what most New Testament passages mean. Hope is knowing that what we think will happen will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have spiritual confidence because our hearts are filled with more than just a wish, an emotion, or a belief. God himself lives in us through the Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus gives us the Spirit as a gift from God (Titus 3:3–7). The Spirit cleans us (1 Corinthians 6:11), makes us part of the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), and lives inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds God’s love to that list of good things that come from God being in us. We don’t just have it; God keeps adding to it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

 

Prayer

Holy and all-powerful God, thank you for not only coming to us in Jesus but also living in us through your Spirit. Your power and holiness are awesome and majestic. Please pour your love into my heart so that the fruits of your grace will flow from me to those around me and everyone will know about your grace. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.