Hope – Page 2 – Praying Pint

30.o. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

1 Peter 1:7   so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalms 42:11   Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Hebrews 6:12    so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:18 we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul

There is so much misunderstanding in the Christian world today about what faith is. Most people think faith is believing that God will do what they want Him to do. They think, “If I can just believe intently enough, then I will get that promotion, or God will heal my sickness, or He will save my marriage.” “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” Faith has its reasons. The Bible doesn’t recommend a “blind leap” of faith. But the reasons can’t be measured in a laboratory; they have to be understood spiritually. Faith does not contradict reason, though it may go beyond reason. One may objectively prove the Bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. But only faith can prove that the Bible is the Word of God. Therefore, this is a belief beyond reason but not in contradiction to reason or against reason. Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to. By faith we can wait on God for His perfect purpose in our lives. By faith we can surrender our requests before God and allow His will to be done. By faith we have assurance that God is in control and He exceeds our imagination in power, might, love, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. By faith we should want what God wants. By faith we have reason for hope. By faith we live so that all we say, think, and do honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. Surely God is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. By faith we find a peace and rest that passes all understanding.

28.e. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless”

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Romans 13:14    But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13:12    The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Thessalonians 5:8    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 10:13   No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Jude 1:24    Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

2 Corinthians 2:11   so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

1 Peter 5:8    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

“The tactics of intimidation and insinuation alternate in Satan’s plan of campaign. He plays both the bully and the beguiler. Force and fraud form his chief offensive against the camp of the saints.” (Simpson) Equipped with God’s armor we are more than conquerors. (Guzik) How aware are we of spiritual battles, attacks from Satan, lies from Satan, deception from Satan, and temptations from Satan? If we are not aware how will we arm ourselves against the battle for our soul? Too often we lack discernment. Too often we lack Godly wisdom and understanding. Too often we are blind and deaf to the battle for our soul. Too often we even try to battle in our own strength and power. We don’t stand a chance. How many times have we asked our children, What were you thinking?????? 99 times out of 100 we hear, I don’t know.

God tells us of His power and might and strength. There is none like Him, He is the creator. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. In Him is all truth. He knows all about Satan’s lies, deceptions, and influences. God warns us about Satan. God empowers us, if we avail ourselves to it, for the battle(s) we will face. He says “Arm yourselves”, “Put on the whole armor”, “I will be your rock, refuge, strength, power, might, and shield against the fiery attacks of Satan”, “I will never leave you or forsake you”, “I will not let you be tempted beyond what you can overcome”, “I am with you always”. And yet, we don’t acknowledge Him or avail ourselves to Him or rely on, trust in, or cling to Him. We go about our days without giving thought to spiritual battles. Is it possible that Satan doesn’t even need to bother attacking us because there is little to no spiritual activity in our lives? Can we not see the times we are living in? Can we not see and understand the influence Satan is having on people across our nation? Oh, that God would open our eyes to see and our ears to hear all that is false, cunning, and deceiving in our country. Oh, that God would awaken our soul to the battle before us and cause us to bow before Him as willing servants for this battle.

27.g. “I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 20:11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

Isaiah 45:16   All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together.

Jeremiah 1:19   They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

Jeremiah 15:20     And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.

Deuteronomy 32:35-36    Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’  For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.

Psalms 65:5    By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8   Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

God’s might and awesome power are greater than our pain, humiliation, rejection, fears, loneliness, and worries. When our heart cries out in humble surrender and all self-reliance is thrown by the wayside, God becomes bigger and our misery becomes smaller. Somehow when we do this we are transformed in our heart and become content to leave the matter to God and His awesome power and might and wisdom and strength.

Learning contentment seems easy for some and much harder for others. When I think about this I come to the conclusion it is a matter of the heart. When self-reliance is cast aside and the heart is trusting in God’s perfect loving and awesome strength there is a contentment that passes all human understanding. It is in God’s hands, my Heavenly Father. Not only is He able to handle what I have yielded/placed into His hands, but He will also carry me through all the pain, confusion, rejection, fear, loneliness, and worry. He will deliver me. I am His child. I can fully trust in Him no matter the outcome because He is God.

27.b. “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened”

Ephesians 1:15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Matthew 11:25    At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

1 Corinthians 2:10   these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God

John 14:26   But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

James 3:17-18   But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Man will think the proper study of mankind rests in philosophy, science, cultural and social, studies. There may be some truth to this but in its highest science, loftiest speculation, and deepest philosophy, it will never give wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God apart from God’s Word. It may engage the attention of a child of God as a study of what man thinks they know or speculate to understand. (Spurgeon) It is good to know thy self but far more beneficial, glorious, and fruitful to know thy God. (Alford)

Our eyes of our heart need to be enlightened by God to understanding and knowledge of Him. Scripture speaks of “hearts of stone” and “hardened hearts) about those who intentionally choose to harden their hearts against the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of things of God. They are ever hearing the Word of God but there is no enlightenment in their heart. It seems as though it comes in one ear and out the other. We all need to be mindful of not only hearing but seeking to understand. Do we think we can we seek this understanding once per week on Sundays and have any growth, not to mention maturity, in God and things of God? Do we think we can gain this understanding and knowledge by osmosis – somehow it just filters in through all of the chaos and busyness of life? I can’t tell you how many times people quote what was on the news as if it was their own thoughts. They believe the fear, hate, anger, division, worry, etc… because that is what the narrative of “News” tells them to do. They actually believe they should fear or hate or worry or be divisive, or be angry and do not see that these are not their thoughts but the thoughts of those who do not know God or things of God. They have allowed them into their hearts and minds. They have allowed them to take root and grow. They see the fruits of them in their lives and think it is proper fruit. It is not wrong to be informed but we need to be mindful of the source and the underlying message it is giving. We can only do this if the eyes to our hearts and minds are seeking wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from and of God. When you read a news article scan it for words like, it could, it might, it may, it is possible, it is conceivable, it may be, it is feasible, potentially it could, it is probable, it is likely, you should worry about, etc…….. these are all enticing words to engage and develop your thinking toward a specific conclusion of the writer or speaker. When our hearts and minds spend more time on things of this world and what it deems and says should be important to us, we will be filled with dark clouds of thought and it will consume us. How much time is spent catching up on the daily news compared to quality time in God’s Word? How much of your thoughts are consumed with what someone else has determined for you to be worthy of your time and thoughts?

Watch out for what your itching ears are listening to. They will give you insight into what is filling your hearts and minds. Wouldn’t it be something if believers what believers spoke out of their hearts and minds was things of God rather than the vomit coming out of social and media outlets.

26.t. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only”

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Proverbs 25:14    Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

Proverbs 26:12    Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Romans 12:3    For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

1 Corinthians 3:18   Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

James 1:22     But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:26   If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Proverbs 14:14    The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

As much as anything, pride is self-focus. Pride doesn’t necessarily say, “I’m better than you are.” Pride simply says, “I’m more important than you are, so I deserve more of my own attention and love than you do.” It also stifles ministry in another way. Out of pride, people will refuse to receive help when someone else reaches out to help bear their burden. Instead, Biblical humility tells us, “I am no more important than you are. Let me care about your burdens and needs.” Or to say, “I need help”. It is important to understand that Paul wrote to every Christian when he said, “When he is nothing.” In the sense Paul uses the idea here, it isn’t that some Christians are something, and others are nothing, and the problem is that the nothings think they are one of the somethings. Instead, Paul writes with the same idea behind Philippians 2:3b-4: In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. If I esteem you above me, and you esteem me above you, a marvelous thing happens: we have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on. (Guzik)

“The meaning is more general and should therefore be expressed thus, ‘Since all men are nothing, he who wishes to appear something and persuades himself that he is somebody, deceives himself.’” (Calvin)

There are few things more self-deceptive than pride. To be proud is to be blind – blind to the freely given favor and gifts of God, blind to our sin and depravity, blind to the good in others, and blind to the foolishness of self-centeredness.

We often get angry when someone deceives us. Yet we don’t take the danger of deceiving ourselves as seriously as we should. It is a serious and terrible thing to deceive yourself. “The misery of most men is, that their minds are as ill set as their eyes, neither of them look inwards.” (Trapp)

Instead of deceiving ourselves, we must take a careful and sober examination of our lives (what we say, think, and do, where and what we spend our time on, am I seeking and desiring to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.) The Bible speaks of a day when our works will be examined before the Lord. Strive to have your works reveal humble humility, obedience, reliance, faith, and trust in Jesus Christ and in love, bearing the burdens on to another.

25.k. “But as servants of God”

2 Corinthians 6:4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left

Romans 14:18    Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-11   For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,  but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Romans 5:3-4    Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Colossians 1:11    being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy

Hebrews 12:1   Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

James 5:7-10    Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Revelation 3:10    Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

We often think of patience as a passive thing – the ability to sit around and wait for something to happen. That is not the idea of the word Paul used here. It is an active endurance instead of a passive waiting. The ancient Greek word hupomone “does not describe the frame of mind which can sit down with folded hands and bowed head and let a torrent of troubles sweep over it in passive resignation. It describes the ability to bear things in such a triumphant way that it transfigures them.” (Barclay)

“Nowadays it is not the violence but the mockery or the amused contempt of the crowd against which the Christian must stand fast.” (Barclay)

Paul knew he needed endurance, and he knew many things in his life drew him to seek that endurance. Some of them were the general trials of life, some were sufferings directly brought by others, and some were self-inflicted. Not every trial was the same, but they all made him need endurance.

The idea of on the right hand and on the left is of holding both offensive and defensive weapons. It probably has in mind “both advancing and being attacked.” “Particularly, the shield and the sword; the former on the left arm, the latter on the right hand. We have the doctrine of truth, and the power of God, as an armour to protect us on all sides, every where, and on all occasions.” (Clarke)

25.e. “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness”

2 Corinthians 5:6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Philippians 1:20-24    as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Matthew 25:21    His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

2 Peter 3:11-12   Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

To be present with the Lord: This is what makes heaven really heaven, so we long to be present with the Lord. Heaven is precious to us for many reasons. We may long to be with loved ones who have passed before us and whom we miss so much. We may want to be with the great men and women of God who have passed before us in centuries past. These may be true, but the true test of your faith, trust, obedience is not for your satisfaction in these bonuses of eternal life, it is for the honor, glory, and praise of Jesus Christ. The longing to be in His presence is what gives us purpose in this life. Longing to see departed loved ones is not the reason, though it is a reality and outcome of love this side of eternity. It is not wrong to want to see and be with loved ones who have departed and are in the presence of the Lord, however, anything that lessens the honor, glory, and praise to Jesus Christ should not be a reason for wanting to be in His presence.

Therefore we make it our aim… to be well-pleasing to Him: Since what we do right now has eternal consequences, our goal and longing to be in His presence must persistently be to honor, glorify, and praise Him. This is our aim, our goal. What is it then that is pleasing to Him? If we were to list all that is pleasing to Him I fear the list would be quite long because there are so many aspects in our lives that we can please Him. To give you a place to start understanding what is pleasing, I think it is best to start with a humble surrendered heart with an abundance of continuous longing to be in His presence and growing in knowledge, understanding, and trust in the grace, mercy, and love He has, does, and continues to grant us in this life, and a heart and soul-deep desire to honor and glorify Him in all we say, think and do.

25.c. “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Psalms 73:26    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 40:29    He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Psalms 119:81   My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

Psalms 27:13    I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!

Job 19:26-27   And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,  whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Isaiah 40:31    but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalms 119:71    It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalms 119:67    Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalms 73:24    You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Having hope and faith in God, and trusting in, relying on, and clinging to Jesus Christ, opens our heart, mind, and soul to eternity. It is not as though we understand it but we are certain of it. We know without a shadow of a doubt that we will be raised from death to life and forever be with Him in His glory. In this understanding, we can rejoice through our flesh is fading away. Can you imagine what it will be like to be in the presence of God and see Him face to face? Standing in the presence of the creator of all there is, the One who knows all of your past and future thoughts and intents, the One who sent His Son to die for you and to redeem you, the one who forgave you of all your sins and has separated them as far as the east is from the west, the One who has taken your blood-red sin-stained soul and washed it white as snow, the One who loved you and made know the mystery of salvation, the One who will raise you up and forevermore you will be with Him in eternity.

We ought to live in light of this and humbly and obediently doing that which honors and glorifies Him alone.

24.x. “On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

2 Corintihians 1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Psalms 44:6-7   For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.  But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

Proverbs 28:26    Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Jeremiah 9:23-24     Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 17:5-7    Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.  He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

Whatever the problem was, it was bad. Because of this problem, Paul lived with the awareness that he might die at any time. He was able to able to learn from this and say – “not to rely on ourselves but on God”. He has delivered us, He is delivering us, and He will deliver us – past, present, future. David, though he used bow and sword, said that he did not trust in them even thought there was victory – It was all of God and not by their might, talent, power, or strength that victory was gained.

It is when we seek deliverance and rely on self, how is God to help? Life is marked by events, and our life is lived either in anticipation of those events (looking to the future) or in reflection upon them (looking to the past). In either situation, stress is a possibility. We may be concerned about what is coming, or we may be exhausted by what has happened. Whenever life drains you of strength, let God be your source for refreshment (Psalm 23:1-3). Make prayer your first choice when it comes to unburdening your soul of what this world has done, is doing, and will do that adversely affects you. God is not limited and will deliver you. His strength, His power, His might, His timing.

21.l. “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Romans 15:13 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.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,  comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

John 14:27   Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Isaiah 55:12   “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace

Galatians 5:22    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Where has peace and joy gone? Have they been taken away? Where does a person find peace and joy? If you are hoping to find a measure of peace by staying tuned into the latest news outlets, I am afraid it will not be found. What will be found is story after story of accidents, wars, hatred, or fear. If you are hoping to find peace by staying tuned into the latest Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram posts, once again, I doubt you will find it. You may find some semblance of peace in the lives of those who post how wonderful their life is. Many times you will find those who bash this and that and drive division and confusion which leads to no peace or joy. Do you ever wonder why we spend so much time on things that will not bring peace or joy but certainly do bring the opposite? Chasing after peace and joy in what the world offers will leave you empty and wanting.

Paul tells us that peace and joy come through the grace of God by believing in Jesus Christ and it is in this hope we find true peace and joy. It does not mean that we are going to go through this life without trials and troubles but rather, when we do we have hope in the God of all creation, all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present with us, we will find peace and joy that satisfies our souls and is able to make us rejoice and stand firm knowing He is in control. It is when we take our eyes off of Him and place them on things of this world that peace and joy a far from us.