Our present hope
The devotions for the coming week are taken from Lutheran Tract Mission’s 2026 Lenten devotional, ‘Hope for Our Future’. Written by Anne Hansen, Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer, the devotions focus on how our futures and hopes are assured in Jesus Christ. The Lenten devotional is available here. It can be downloaded, printed or used as a digital flipbook.
by Anne Hansen
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There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).
A year ago, my nephew went on a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) expedition, taking a wooden sailing boat called the Vaka Hop’e from the Philippines to the Solomon Islands. (You can Google it to get all the tales of their journey.) The name signifies a boat bringing hope to the Solomon Islanders, who will use it for mission activities and community development. During my nephew’s journey, which took three months and sailed more than 2,900 nautical miles, the crew of four experienced many adventures. It was a simple catamaran tied together with ropes to give flexibility on the seas.
While travelling through Indonesian waters, a rudder broke in heavy seas during the night, and then the second rudder broke. They thought they would be carried onto the rocks, but somehow, using an oar as a rudder, they made it to the shore of an island where a local islander made them two new rudders. In Papua New Guinea, they encountered thieves and pirates, but all escaped unharmed. God was with them through their journey, and many friends and family (including us) were lifting them all up in prayer. During their journey, they felt called to do God’s work and bring this boat to the Solomon Islands community for their work and mission.
We are all on a journey. Maybe not one like the Vaka Hop’e, but it is a personal journey through life. In Proverbs 23:15–19, the writer gives wisdom to his son. It is also wisdom to us. We are to be wise and put our hope in the Lord. God is our present hope and our future hope. In your life, whatever adventures and mishaps that may steer you off path and cause concern, ‘… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path’ (verse 19). When your heart and sight are set on God, everything else will fall into place. Meditate on God’s word this Lenten season and watch him steer your life.
Our future hope starts with our present hope.
My loving Saviour, through your life and the adventures you encountered, you never swayed from where your sight was set. God set your course to the cross to secure my future hope. Thank you. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for almost 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband Mark (a pastor). She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, she loves walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
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