God is the greatest giver of hope. His hope never fails. And while we are not always the best at maintaining that given hope, one beautiful way of keeping it—and strengthening it further—is to give hope to others.
As it says in Acts 20:35, “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Yet, the joy and edification that giving brings is only one of the blessings involved. For, when we give that which we ourselves need, it often opens the door to receiving that which we lack. Thus, if we lack hope, then giving hope to others will in turn bring to us a measure of hope.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”—Luke 6:38
Further still, knowing that someone who once had no hope, now has hope because of our obedience to God, allows our own hearts to find hope. To cling to the knowledge that if God can use us to help our fellow man, then He can in turn bring help to us—be it directly from His throne of grace or through those around us.
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 Believers, are meant to live in hope; because God paid the ultimate price for our lives, for our salvation. Some days, finding this hope within us is difficult. But God always has the answer—no matter if He brings a renewal of hope and peace Himself, or uses others for that purpose. Yet, there are also days where God raises the hope within our hearts to such an extent that we walk in great expectation… And when those times come—even when they are distant—we are meant to give the hope of God away.
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”—Psalm 31:24
Hope is mentioned in the New King James Version of the Word 151 times! One of the earliest of these being in Ruth 1:12-13, when Naomi entreated her daughters-in-law to return to their families instead of following her.
Naomi, at that point in her life was without hope. Yet God would work mightily to change that and bring redemption…
Ruth followed Naomi no matter how firm the entreaties were against her doing so. She listened to and did all that God and her mother-in-law required of her… And in the end, this brought restoration to both Ruth and Naomi. It turned Naomi from a hopeless woman to one filled with life, joy, and of course, hope!
Naomi had been willing to give into hopelessness, but God had other plans. Greater plans.
God used Ruth—who hoped beyond earthly reason—to plant seeds of hope in Naomi until the time for her redemption drew nigh. And as Ruth planted those seeds of hope, she in turn grew in the faith that all she hoped for and more would come to pass.
Like Ruth we are each meant to plant seeds of hope.
Sometimes we may be gleaning as Ruth did, but when we fix our eyes on our Father in Heaven, hope and determination will rise up in us. As will a flood of Godly wisdom and love.
We can live with and give hope, no matter where we may be in our journey—whether we are gleaning in the fields, or living in favor, blessing, restoration, and wealth!
Even Job, who followed God despite the enemy throwing seemingly EVERYTHING at him, kept his eyes fixed on the Lord. His words at times may have been filled with pain and even a measure of hopelessness, but he always returned to hope, because he always remembered to ‘look up.’ After all, that is where our redemption and the fulfillment of all Godly hope comes from.
“…look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”—Luke 21:28
Scripture reminds us over and over of the importance of hope, but specifically of how God is the one we should hope in.
There are literally dozens of scriptures that speak of putting our hope in God and His Word; because that is where the greatest return always comes from. It is where we find our peace.
“… Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him… the help of my countenance and my God.”—Psalm 42:5, 11; Psalm 43:5
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; you will hear, O Lord my God.”—Psalm 38:15
“For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”—Psalm 33:21-22
“For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.”—Psalm 71:5
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 15:13
Further still, 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 believe that if we put our hope in Him, He will not see the desire come to us. (See Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 13:8.)
Putting our hope in God is the safest investment of mind, will, and emotion that we could ever make. It is more constant than money, jewels, gain, or even gold; and unlike these earthly investments, God’s hope never fails… He NEVER fails!
Giving Hope:
Once we understand that God is the ultimate giver of hope and that we are to put our own hope in Him—fixing our eyes and faith on Him, no matter our earthly circumstances—then we are able to use that hope in our lives. In the lives of others.
We are able to GIVE hope! Because the God of all creation has given US the blessing of hope!
Jeremiah 29:11 is perhaps one of the most famous scriptures regarding hope and God’s plans for us… “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.”
God desires good for ALL His creation. From the least to the greatest; the most loyal to the least.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9
We, as we follow after Him, are meant to be a light to the world. One of the best ways to be that light—and increase our own simultaneously—is to give hope to those around us.
Sometimes it is as simple as a kind word to the person checking us out at the store, or a smile as we walk past someone. Other times, it is as great as giving someone food, a job, or even, the ability to create a new life for themselves.
In giving what we ourselves need—or from the surplus God has given to us—we are blessed beyond measure! Not only in the natural, but supernaturally—as we reach toward the beautiful words, ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ (see Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17).
“… ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”—Matthew 3:17; 2 Peter 1:17
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! …”—1 John 3:1
