I. The Word: Romans 15:8-13

8For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,
“THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”

10Again he says,
“REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.”

11And again,
“PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.”

12Again Isaiah says,
“THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,
AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES,
IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.”

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. Have you intentionally served someone, to express your love for them?

2. When was the last time you approached your day with joyful expectation?

Hope is the main focal point in today’s text. We see that Christ serves the “the circumcised” (Jews practicing Judaism), as well as the Gentiles (nations outside of Israel); God through the life and death of Christ, displays his faithfulness and mercy to all people, for His glory. Jesus won the victory over our primary adversaries that separates us from Him (sin and death); and Paul uses Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, and Psalm 117:1, to both proclaim and prophesy, the worldwide chorus of praises being offered up to the Lord, because he now reigns victorious.

In verse 12 Paul quotes Isaiah 11:10, explicitly stating that “the root of Jesse” (Jesus), is our only hope. We are all looking for relief in this world, and most believe that relief will come if there were no King, no Judge, and no Avenger. Paul states it this way, “even he who arises to rule the Gentiles”. As Christians, our hope is that Christ will bring Heaven’s righteousness to Earth.

Verse 13 concludes this section of Paul’s letter with a prayer that only God through the Holy Spirit, can answer. May this powerful prayer inspire us to approach each day with a joyful expectancy that our hope will not be in vain; we will see the Shepherd of our souls, face to face. In that day, every failure, and every victory, will really make sense.

“Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame” – Psalm 25:3a