And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
The source of our hope is not just in Jesus’ prior work on the Cross and in the empty tomb as he “who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). Our hope isn’t dependent upon our own will-power and commitment to hang on to hope — although, at times, we need these virtues. No, God made sure the burning fire of vibrant hope would never run out of fuel in our hearts. He did this by filling us with his Holy Spirit and pouring his love into our hearts. That same Spirit Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us up and give us life when Jesus returns (Romans 8:11).
My Prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the gift of your Holy Spirit who keeps my hope alive, fills me with a sense of your loving presence, empowers me to live for Jesus, and is interceding for me now as I pray. May my life consistently display my confidence in your love by sharing your kindness with others because of my hope in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.