December 23
The Benediction of
Hope and Peace
Romans 15:13
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.
Daily Steps
As the devotional journey moves toward its culmination, this Final Benediction serves as a perfect summary of the Lasting Promises (Day 354) and Final Virtues (Month 21). It directs the new believer to the very source of life—the God of hope—and outlines the simple, powerful formula for Christian living: trust in him results in a divine overflowing of joy (Day 339), peace (Day 355), and hope, all activated by the Holy Spirit's power (Day 356).
The peace in this principle is found in spiritual abundance:
The Identity of God: Our prayer is directed to the God of hope—meaning hope is an essential characteristic of His nature. Because this God is the source, our hope (Day 341) is not a fragile wish, but a firm and secure anchor (Day 340).
The Condition for Abundance: The divine action is contingent on the human response: as you trust in him. This simple surrendered trust (Day 354) is the key that unlocks the floodgate. When we trust Him completely, we allow Him to fill us with all His joy and peace.
The Resulting Overflow: The outcome is spiritual abundance: so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the culmination of all the good work (Day 351) God is doing in us. When we are overflowing, our life becomes a visible testimony (Day 348) of Christ's presence (Day 353) to the world.
Your peace is secured by spiritual abundance. Embrace Final Benedictions today by choosing one thing you are currently worried about and consciously exchanging that worry for a moment of trust in God. Ask the God of hope to fill you with His joy and peace, leading to an overflow of hope in your life.
Reflective Question
If your life is meant to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, what action or attitude currently stops you from being "filled with all joy and peace"? What is one immediate step you can take to deepen your trust in him?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to worry and to let my spirit become drained. I thank You that You are the God of hope and the source of all good things. I pray for the grace to simply and completely trust in You today. Please fill me with all joy and peace, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Secure my peace today in this spiritual abundance. Amen.
