Give Hope to the Weary
God is the best giver of hope, for His hope never fails. Yet, we, with our flesh-filled logic, often struggle to maintain hope, latching on to seemingly every trouble, doubt, and pain. However, we don’t have to let hope slip away.
There are many ways to allow hope room to flourish, but one beautiful way, which simultaneously strengthens it, is to give hope to others!
As Acts 20:35 says, “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Joy and edification are examples of just two of the many blessings that are returned to us when we give hope to others. For instance, when we give what we need, spiritual doors open for us! So, if we lack hope, then by giving hope away, we, in return, are given a measure of hope…
“Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return.”—Luke 6:38 (TPT)
Further, the simple knowledge that someone who was once hopeless now possesses hope because of your obedience to God, allows your own heart and soul to find hope. It allows you to realize that God is not only able to help those around you… but also reminds you that nothing is impossible for Him. He can bring help and hope in any situation!
What does the Word say about HOPE?
The word hope is found 151 times in the New King James version of the Bible, 170 in the CJB version, and 180 in the NIV! Of these, the first common use of hope across translations is found in Ruth 1:12-13, where Naomi entreats her daughters-in-law to return to their old lives and families instead of following her.
Naomi felt hopeless at that juncture of her life, but God would use Ruth’s obedience to bring redemption from that hopeless despair…
Despite Naomi’s repeated entreaties AND her sister-in-law returning to Moab, Ruth chose to follow Naomi. She obeyed God’s still small voice and cared for her mother-in-law. In the end, it brought restoration not only to Naomi, but to Ruth as well.
Ruth’s faithfulness to God and her mother-in-law turned Naomi from a woman without hope, to one filled with joy, life, and of course, hope!
Naomi had been willing to give in to hopelessness, but God had different plans. Far greater than either woman could know…
God was able to use Ruth—who hoped beyond worldly ‘logic’—to plant the seeds of hope within Naomi which prepared her heart for the redemption to come. As Ruth planted those seeds, she began to grow in faith until all she hoped for, and more, came to pass.
Like Ruth, we are meant to plant seeds of hope.
Sometimes this includes a season of gleaning like Ruth, yet, when we fix our eyes on our Father, hope and determination rise, along with a flood of Godly wisdom, love, and patience.
We have the ability to live in and give hope, no matter where we may be on our journey—from gleaning in the fields to thriving in favor, blessing, wealth, and restoration! The key is keeping our eyes heavenward.
Take the man of God, Job. He suffered the enemy throwing EVERYTHING at him, and did so only by keeping his eyes fixed on God! Job’s words were at times filled with pain and perhaps a measure of hopelessness, but he always returned to hope because he always remembered to ‘look up.’ After all, that is where hope and our very redemption come from…
“…look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”—Luke 21:28
Investing in Hope:
It says in Proverbs 13:12 that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
We, as children of God, are meant to live in hope. God paid the ultimate price for it, our lives, and very salvation. Some days this hope can feel fleeting, yet, God always has the answers—no matter if He brings renewal of hope Himself, or uses others to do so. Alternatively, there are days when hope rises within us so greatly, that we walk in expectation! And, while we are always meant to give hope, even—or perhaps especially—when we lack it, the times of great hope allow us to give out of our God given surplus…
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”—Psalm 31:24
Because ‘God is not a man, that He should lie,’ and ‘is the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ we have no reason to doubt His promises, or to believe that He will not see our hope fulfilled if we place our hope in Him (see Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 13:8).
Storing hope in God is the safest investment of our soul—mind, will, and emotions—that we could ever make. It is more consistent in value than grain, jewels, money, or even gold. And unlike earthly investments, God’s hope never fails. He NEVER fails!
Giving Hope:
As we follow after God, we are to be a light to those around us, and one of the best ways to do that—and increase our own—is to provide hope to the world…
Sometimes, it is as simple as a kind word to the person ringing up our purchases at a store, or a smile as we pass someone on the street. Other times, it is as ‘large’ as giving someone food to cook, a job to pay the bills, or even, the ability to create a brand new life; to return, repent, and begin again.
By giving out of the surplus God has provided us, we are blessed beyond measure! Not merely in the natural, but supernaturally! Walking in love and giving hope allows us to reach toward the beautiful words, ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’ (see Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17).
When we understand that God is the best giver of hope and that we are meant to hope in Him—fixing our faith and eyes upon Him in every circumstance—then we are able to use that hope wisely. Not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others.
We are able to GIVE hope! Not because we are that powerful in our own right, but because the God of all has given US, mere flesh and blood beings, the blessing of hope!
Of all the Scriptures which speak of hope, Jeremiah 29:11 is perhaps one of the most famous, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Everything God desires for His creation is good. Not merely for those who are seemingly ‘perfect,’ but for ALL of us on our beautiful journey of seeking Him!
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins.”—2 Peter 3:9 (CJB)
So, let us walk in kindness and love, giving hope to the hopeless, be they friend or stranger. Let us bring life through the light of God shining through us, reminding the world that God lives and He lives in us!
“Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.’”—Mark 4:24