What is your view of God? For some God is an angry spirit who must be appeased through ritualistic prayer, worship, and sacrifice. But there is never peace within the heart because one is never sure if she or he has done enough.

For others God is the one to pray to only when there is a crisis. But then this god becomes the god to be reviled when the one praying feels his or her prayer is not answered. So the hope of the heart is broken.

The Holy Bible of the Judeo-Christian tradition says there is a God who can fill you with hope. How is this possible? When millions over the world have been infected with the corona virus and many are dying from the COVID-19 disease, how can there be a God of hope?

This God is different than other gods. He is a three-in-one Being: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God the Father, the Creator of the universe, did not just reveal Himself to a human being who would then become his messenger. He became a human being, born as the Baby Jesus, God the Son. He grew into the Man Jesus, still God the Son, but also Teacher and ultimately Savior. And He made Himself known in times past and continues to make Himself known today as God the Holy Spirit. It is this Holy Spirit who can minister to our hurting hearts in times of need.

Read the following words of encouragement from the Holy Bible in your preferred language. Say the words aloud. Write the quotation on a card and put it where you will see it often during this next week. Memorize it and believe it so you can have a word of comfort whenever you need it.

ENGLISH: 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. Romans 15:13 NIV 11 (New International Version 2011)

FRANÇAIS : Que le Dieu de l’espérance vous remplisse de toute joie et de toute paix dans la foi, pour que vous abondiez en espérance, par la puissance du Sainte-Esprit! Romains 15:13 LSG (Bible Segond 1910)

ESPAÑOL: Y el Dios de esperanza os llene de todo gozo y paz en la fe, para que abundéis en esperanza por el poder del Espíritu Santo. Romanos 15:13 RVR95 (Biblia Reina Valera 1995)

DEUTSCH: Der Gott aber der Hoffnung erfülle euch mit aller Freude und Frieden im Glauben, Daß ihr völlige Hoffnung habet durch die Kraft des Halligen Geistes. Römer 15:13 DELUT (Lutherbibel 1912)

Words of Encouragement
By Connie Carlisle Polley, 2020
ConnieCarlislePolley.com