All Joy and Peace in Believing

Week 5 - Day 29

"Now may the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It's reference to hope is foundational for those who are on the "joy journey." Remember, hope is the "confident, optimistic expectation that good is coming." It is the "soil" that faith and joy must have their roots in.

Paul prays that the Roman people will be "filled" with ALL joy. Concerning this joy let me ask you: is joy an emotion or a substance? It s an emotion, but it is primarily a substance - something that can be imparted and something that we can defeat the enemy with. The apostle prayed that we would be filled with it. This would seem to indicate that we could also be empty of it, half-filled or have other levels of joy. Is there a kind of "spiritual dip stick" that measures our joy level? I wonder.

What strikes me more though in this verse is the phrase "in believing." It says, "now may the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." Our joy and other emotions result mostly from what we believe. This verse implies that believing our G*d is the G*d of hope is a key to experiencing joy and peace. This hope is based on the finished work of Christ, His love, His goodness and His promises. As we replace the lies of the devil with truth (John 8:31, 32), we will see a corresponding increase in our joy level. We will indeed be filled with all joy.

Romans 15:13 starts with the word now. It does not say tomorrow, or next week or next year. It says NOW! It does not give us the idea that we will be filled when our circumstances change. No, it says, "believe now and you will be filled." Let's receive a filling of joy and peace by faith right now.

Declaration: (OUT LOUD!) The G*d of hope is continually filling with joy. I am a believing believer who believes in His goodness and promises. I am being filled more and more as a result. Right now I choose to walk in an abounding hope that will ignite my joy like never before.