Words of Hope Daily Devotional
START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE
Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.
START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE
Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.
THE DEVOTIONAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR EMAIL AND IN PRINT.
The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer.
DINNER WITH JESUS
Breakfast on the Beach
The Power of His Name
Read: Acts 3:11-26
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know. (v. 16)
Many years ago, during my time at Western Seminary, I was blessed to have an office next to Dr. Stan Rock. One morning, he stopped by my office and asked me how I was doing. I said disingenuously, “I’m just fine.” It wasn’t true. A merciless cancer was taking my dad’s life one painful day after another. Stan said to me, “Look at me.” When I did, he said, “Well, you don’t look very good. What’s wrong?” I began to weep and told him everything on my heart. And somewhere in the midst of my telling, my heart began to open to God’s healing presence.
There is a verse in Proverbs that ripples with hope and is a fitting commentary on our passage today: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe” (Prov. 18:10 NRSV). Isn’t that precisely what happens in the beauty of Solomon’s Portico and what Peter points to in our reading today? In the name of Jesus, Peter commanded a man lame from birth first to look at him, and then to take up his mat and walk. It wasn’t Peter’s power that did it (v. 12), but healing was possible because Peter stopped and looked, and then called on the name of Jesus.
You and I have our Father’s eyes. Look at the people that God brings to you today, and invite Jesus to work in their lives.
As you pray, ask God to open your eyes to the people around you.
About the Author
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. First Last
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including Why Doesn’t God Act More Like God, Christ in the Psalms, and A Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
Lifted Up
Read: Psalm 30 I shall never be moved. (v. 6) Do you remember climbing the first hill on your first rollercoaster ride? You got to the top, and for a moment the world stopped—the ground was a distant memory, and
Staying the Course
Read: Psalm 18:27-42 You equipped me with strength for the battle. (v. 39) For me, long distance running didn’t come easy. I started by walking, and I wasn’t fast. Over time, through many months and years of training, I racked
A United Heart
Read: Psalm 86 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. (v. 11) The heart is vital to our bodies. In a lifetime of 70 years, it will
Lost and Found
Read: Psalm 107 He delivered them from their distress. (v. 6) It had been a while since I’d cried hot, angry tears, but there they were, uncontrollably rolling down my face. I was in one of those moments in life
The Faithfulness of God
Read: Psalm 91 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you. (vv. 2-3) “9-1-1, what’s your emergency? . . . I’ll send an officer to you
He Sustains Us
Read: Psalm 63 My soul will be satisfied. (v. 5) Imagine being lost in a desert—the last drops of water in your flask ran out three days ago and you’re beyond exhaustion, certain if you don’t find water soon, you’ll