Hope That Travels Farther Than You Do (Proverbs 25:25)
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Proverbs 25:25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
A few weeks ago I flew to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit a guy I’ve discipled for a long time and to speak at a worship night he leads. It was funny — so many students thought I had flown in mainly to speak. I had to clarify that I was actually there to see my friend, and speaking was just something he asked me to do.
But what struck me was what the students said next. They told me that because I had traveled — because I’d woken up at 3:15 AM for the connecting flight and gone through all that hassle — it made what I shared feel weightier. The distance, the exhaustion, the sacrifice… somehow it made the message feel more meaningful. “It gave it more aura” as they say.
And that’s actually the heart of this proverb.
In the ancient world, as Bruce Waltke points out, news traveled agonizingly slowly and was delivered with great difficulty. So when someone brought news from far away, the news felt precious. Cost communicates value. Sacrifice makes the message shine.
That’s the deeper wisdom here:
Good news becomes even better when someone has paid a price to bring it to you.
Now think about this week — Thanksgiving, the most-traveled week of the year. Many of you will be on the move. Maybe to another state, maybe another city, maybe just across town. But as you travel, I want you to remember something:
Your presence, your effort, your willingness to go — it all gives weight to the message you carry.
And if you’re a Christian, the message you carry is the gospel — the greatest good news from the farthest country imaginable. God Himself traveled the infinite distance, from heaven into our world, to bring us news that refreshes like cold water to a desperate soul. The gospel is not cheap; it came to us through the ultimate cost.
I know sharing the gospel with family can feel intimidating. I know those conversations can be complicated. But lean in gently. Let your presence, your kindness, your willingness to go toward people be part of the message.
Because every soul is thirsty — even if they don’t admit it.
And Jesus is the One who crossed the greatest distance to bring the water we’re all longing for.
Let’s pray.
