February 3
Strength and Courage
Through Hope
“Be strong, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Never give up.”
Psalm 31:24 (NIrV)
Seth adjusted his threadbare coat as the chill of the evening crept in. He sat on the edge of the park bench, his belongings tucked into a small, tattered backpack. This wasn’t the life he imagined for himself. Once, he had a steady job, an apartment, and dreams of starting his own business. But a string of bad luck, a lost job, and mounting bills left him with no choice but to live on the streets.
As the days turned into weeks, hopelessness settled in like a thick fog. Seth began to doubt there was a way out. He felt invisible as people hurried past him on the bustling streets, avoiding his gaze.
One evening, a kind woman stopped and handed him a sandwich and a small pamphlet. “God loves you,” she said simply, before walking away. Seth wasn’t sure what to make of her words, but something about her kindness stayed with him.
Later, he opened the pamphlet. It had today’s verse: “Be strong, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Never give up.” The words seemed to leap off the page, speaking directly to his weary heart. For the first time in a long while, he prayed: “God, if You’re really there, help me. Show me a way forward.”
The next morning, Seth felt a flicker of determination he hadn’t felt in months. He walked to a local shelter he had avoided out of pride and shame. There, he found not only a warm meal and a place to sleep but also a staff member who encouraged him to enroll in their job training program.
Weeks turned into months, and Seth began to rebuild his life, one small step at a time. He found a part-time job, then a full-time position, and eventually saved enough to rent a modest apartment. Each step felt like an answered prayer, a reminder that God was with him all along.
Seth learned that hope isn’t just about waiting—it’s about trusting that God can take the smallest seed of faith and grow something beautiful from it.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for being a source of hope and strength when life feels overwhelming.
Like Seth, we sometimes feel invisible or defeated, but You remind us to never give up.
Help us to trust in Your plan, even when we can’t see the way forward.
Give us the courage to take steps of faith and the humility to accept help when we need it.
Thank You for Your faithfulness and love that never fail.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
