Rejoice in Hope
READ
Hope is not the same as optimism.
Optimism says, "Everything will work out." Hope says, "God is faithful, even when things don't work out the way I wanted."
Optimism is a feeling. Hope is a foundation.
Let’s take a moment to read Romans 12:12a:
"Rejoice in hope"
REFLECT
When Paul says "rejoice in hope," he's not telling us to plaster on a smile and pretend everything's fine. He's inviting us to anchor our joy in something deeper than our circumstances—in the character of God and the promises He's made.
Think about what hope actually means in Scripture. It's not wishful thinking or crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Biblical hope is confident expectation. It's the assurance that God is who He says He is, that He will do what He's promised to do, and that His story isn't finished yet.
That's why hope sustains devotion. Because devotion isn't easy. Following Jesus over the long haul means you'll face disappointment, hardship, loss, and seasons where nothing seems to be going the way you thought it would. If your joy is based on circumstances, you won't make it. But if your joy is rooted in hope—in the certainty that God is good and faithful and at work even when you can't see it—then you can keep going.
So what is it that brings you the most hope in Christ? Maybe it's the promise of His presence—that He's with you always, even in the hardest moments. Maybe it's the hope of restoration—that He's making all things new, including you. Maybe it's the hope of His return—that one day, every wrong will be made right, every tear will be wiped away, every broken thing will be healed.
Whatever it is, that hope is meant to fuel your devotion. It's what keeps you loving when people let you down. It's what keeps you faithful when you don't see results. It's what keeps you generous when resources are tight. It's what keeps you engaged when everything else is pulling you toward apathy.
But here's the thing: hope requires a choice. You have to actively direct your heart toward it. You have to remind yourself of what's true when your feelings are screaming something different. You have to preach the gospel to yourself—over and over—until hope becomes the baseline of your soul.
That's why Paul says "rejoice in hope." Not "feel happy about hope" or "wait until hope shows up on its own." Rejoice. Choose joy. Celebrate what God has done and what He's promised to do, even when the present moment is hard.
This doesn't mean you ignore pain or pretend struggle doesn't exist. It means you hold both—the difficulty of now and the confidence of what's coming. You weep, and you hope. You lament, and you trust. You bring your whole self to God, including the parts that are hurting, and you let hope be the thread that holds you together.
Because here's the truth: God is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. And that's worth rejoicing in, no matter what else is happening.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
What specific hope in Christ brings you the most joy and strength?
How does hope—confident expectation in God's faithfulness—differ from optimism in your life?
When circumstances are hard, how can you actively choose to rejoice in hope today?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
God, thank You that hope in You is not wishful thinking but confident expectation. When I'm discouraged or overwhelmed, anchor me in the truth of who You are. Help me to rejoice in Your faithfulness, Your promises, Your presence. Let hope be the foundation of my joy, no matter what I'm facing. Amen.