All of us need hope. To see brightness in dark times. But how do we find hope?
Join us as we explore the importance of hope and how giving hope to others actually builds hope in us!
Finding Hope Despite Lack
God is the greatest giver of hope. His hope never fails. And though we may not always fully maintain that given hope, one beautiful way of keeping it and strengthening it further is giving 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.’”
The joy and edification that giving brings is only one of the blessings involved. For when we give what we ourselves need, it often opens the door to receiving that which we lack. Therefore, if we lack hope, then giving hope to others prepares the way for a returned measure of hope to us.
Additionally, 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 realize that it is not all about us, but about God’s Kingdom… and equally, to trust that we have a good Father who loves us and wants to help us. To give us 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
Living in Hope
Proverbs 13:12 says that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
As Believers we are meant to live in hope; because God paid the ultimate price for our lives, for our salvation, and for us to walk in the hope of that.
Some days, finding this hope within us is difficult, but God always has the answer—no matter if He brings a renewal of hope Himself, or uses others for that purpose. Alternatively, there are also days where God raises hope in our hearts to such an extent that we walk in great expectation! Where hope is alive within us.
Yet, no matter which of these times we are in, we are meant to share the hope of God. To allow God’s Living Hope in us and to work through us by giving hope to others!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
—1 Peter 1:3-5
Biblical Examples of Hope
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
—Psalm 31:24
The word hope is found 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 thought that she was without hope. However, God would soon change that, bringing about redemption—using Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth, and her kinsman Boaz.
In spite of Naomi’s firm entreaties for Ruth to turn away from her, Ruth was determined to follow Naomi no matter the hardships it might bring. Ruth listened to God and did all that was required of her… and in the end, this brought restoration to her, and to Naomi. It turned Naomi from a hopeless woman to one filled with life, joy, and of course, hope!
Naomi had been willing to give in to 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 came. 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 by giving hope to others.
Sometimes we may be gleaning as Ruth did prior to her redemption, 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 in 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. Job’s words at times were filled with pain and even a measure of hopelessness, but he always returned to hope, because he always remembered to ‘look up!’
“…look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
—Luke 21:28
After all, that is where our redemption and the fulfillment of all Godly hope comes from!
Our Hope Rests in God
Scripture reminds us over and over again 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…
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 to believe that hope in Him does not bear fruit (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!
“…Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
—Psalm 42:11; 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
Giving Hope to Others
Once we understand that God is the ultimate giver of hope and that we are to put our 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, and in the lives of those around us by giving hope to others.
We are able to GIVE hope! Because the God of all creation has given us the blessing of hope!
Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse 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
In following after God, we are meant to be a light to the world. And 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 giving a kind word, a willing ear, or a smile. 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 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 3:1a