Hope That Overflows

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Chaplin Bob Griffiths.

Poet Emily Dickinson wrote that “Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul,” where it sings without pause. She tells us that it sounds sweetest “in the gale” and that she’s heard it “in the chillest land and on the strangest sea.” How beautifully she describes the nature of hope, which often seems a fragile thing, but which endures through any storm we may be buffeted by as promised repeatedly in scripture. In the darkest times of my life, I’ve sometimes been unable to hear that inextinguishable song, until I again unstop the ears of my heart through prayer, faith, and trust. 

Paul writes frequently about hope in his letters; it is central to his understanding of faith. My favorite passage about hope is found in Romans 15:13, and in my favorite translation, it reads “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through your faith in Him until, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you overflow with hope!” I pray that prayer every evening, so that when the dark times do come, it is lodged firmly in my heart, and helps me to know that the love of God and the hope He promises are inextinguishable. 

Let us pray: God of hope, fill our hearts today with the sure knowledge of your love for us so that in the dark times of our life, we will know to the depths of our being that we are not alone and that you are always with us. May we give you thanks always for this extraordinary gift. Amen.