A Message of Hope
Scripture Reading — Romans 10:9-15
How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
—Romans 10:14
“Why should I hope?” asked the king of Israel in Elisha’s day (see 2 Kings 6:33). Why? Because God can make an army run away in fright. God can use unseen things to overcome the things that we can see (see 2 Kings 7:5-7).
God can rescue us and can turn away evil. God can spread a lavish banquet even in the presence of our enemies. God can bring salvation—light in darkness, comfort in grief, peace in bitterness, healing in brokenness, and strength in weakness.
Why should we hope? Because we have a shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep in order to protect us. Because we have a Savior who can travel down into the deepest, darkest hell any of us can imagine and come out alive. Because there isn’t a single valley in the shadow of death that our shepherd cannot walk us through. Because he claims us as his own and will never let us go. That is why we can hope.
That is why we are prophets. We have been given the message of hope and are told to share it. How will others believe the good news unless they hear it, and how will they hear it unless they are told?
We have our assignment—go and bring the good news of Jesus Christ so that others too can have this hope.
Lord, our shepherd, thank you for your loving care. Help me to share the good news of your love with those who need to hear it. Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!