452 -- Hope Does Not Disappoint

May 5 (5/5) in Godsfield -- Romans 5:5

(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of fifth chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)

Romans 5:5 "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Clear the kitchen wall, the whole fifth chapter of Romans should be cross stitched on it. Seriously, one verse after another. And this verse begins with a conclusion of the previous verse about suffering, endurance and character, and how one leads to the next, and one to hope.

And hope does not disappoint. I've always thought that was a peculiar way to say it, even "put to shame," but it just means, don't lose hope, hope that is not wishful thinking, but expectation.

When we hope, we expect what we hope for; we will not be disappointed.

And why? Because our hearts have been filled with the elixir of God -- love, through the Holy Spirit.

Again, not complicated, just thorough -- Holy Spirit, love, heart, hope -- and pretty much nothing we do, but what God does.

We are willing receptacles; God is our willing provider.

Hope on that! We won't be disappointed!

Love ya,

Paul