7 Days of HopeSample

Deliver Hope

By Pastor Mel Stauber

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:23-24, NASB)

Hope came to me in the form of an encouraging word through a determined stranger at the Austin marathon years ago, where I had resolved to quit at the twenty-second mile. Because of renewed hope, I finished the race.

Hope is that positive, energizing feeling we get when we believe difficult circumstances are going to change for the positive. Hope motivates us to do endure or give greater effort because we believe things are going to get better. It’s no wonder that Jesus gives us hope! His promises are secured through ages of fulfilled promises that have been recorded in the books of the Bible for us to gain strength in our resolve that He will do exactly what He says He will do. Because He said it, it is settled. Because we believe it, we have hope.

When we deliver hope, we are providing evidence that gives people reason to keep going, to not quit, to persevere through their current situation. That evidence can come in the form of food for the hungry, a visit to the lonely, a boat in the flood, medicine for the sick, an act of compassion, or a kind deed. Delivering hope draws its recipients to a better place and shows them the ultimate reason to hope, a relationship with Jesus.