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.

Reading Romans 15:13, you may feel like raising your head and shouting “Amen!” Paul may have a few identifiable credits and final greetings to specific friends to make before signing off, but this verse, this prayerful verse, brings closure to a letter that went to great lengths to explain to both Jews and Gentiles the dynamic of faith in Christ. It appeared that Gentiles were more readily willing to respond positively to the Gospel, while Jews were more reticent. Indeed, it was more difficult for a Jew to yield to the transitional calling of God to place trust in the one who claimed to be the Son of God—the one who died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins. Also, given the antisemitic culture of Rome, it was all a little overwhelming for Jews!

But life was no “picnic” for Gentiles who also put their faith in Christ! They had to deal with the watchful eye of community officials, making certain that all religious sects kept their loyalties in check in this Caesar-dominated society. The truth is, both Jew and Gentile believers needed a lot of hope and encouragement to persevere in the faith. As Paul concludes his letter to this church in Rome, he offers a doxology that asks God to abundantly fulfill that desire.

Paul speaks of hope 12 times in the Book of Romans. Six of those refer to either God’s character or one’s relationship to God by way of expectations in what He has provided or promised. In any case, the apostle is stating that God, who is the very foundation of “hope,” reveals what we need to walk confidently in our relationship with Him. The “God of hope” is the God of all that we can be sure of—and that should fill us “with all joy and peace in believing” (i.e., trusting). God does not peddle a false hope or shallow words of encouragement. Whereas life, with all its factors, can be unpredictable. God can be trusted to work on our behalf (Romans 8:28).

It would be tragic to have the promises of “joy and peace” and “abounding hope” and not take hold of them because we refuse to trust God in all our circumstances. By placing our trust in Him, we engage in an uneven exchange: we give Him our problems and He gives us an abounding hope through the Spirit. When we remember to wrap our concerns and discouragements in the promises and power of God, we can confidently hand them over, trusting that He works in ways that bring Him glory and benefits our faith (2 Corinthians 1:20). That “Yes and Amen” relationship with God continues to build hope for living out our faith!

Helen Keller acknowledged that the foundation for all she came to know of life was completely premised on a surrendered trust in the promises of God for her life. “If we trust, if we relinquish our will and yield to God, then we find that we are afloat on a buoyant sea of peace and under us are the everlasting arms.” Pray that trust in the “God of hope” would be as clear for us to see as it was for Helen.

By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International contributor, Pennsylvania U.S.