Hope in his promises
by Rev Martin Lalthangliana
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My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word (Psalm 119:81).
The devotions for the coming week are taken from LCA International Mission’s 2021 ’40 Days – a Lenten Devotion and Prayer Guide’ and are written by mission partners around the world. LCA International Mission invites you to pray for God’s global mission and churches beyond our borders. You can download an electronic copy of the ’40 Days’ guide at the LCA International Mission website or request a printed copy by emailing lcaim@lca.org.au or phoning 08 8267 7330.
The year 2020 might have been an extraordinary one if the pandemic had not broken out. Many people had prepared for an exceptional year, with a lot of things in mind. Unfortunately, the pandemic destroyed those expectations, plans and hopes for 2020.
Many families around the world have lost loved ones and faced many kinds of problems, suffering and phobias that we could not have imagined beforehand. Some of the damage that the pandemic has caused is immeasurable. Many people have lost their faith and hope in God. Questions, doubt, criticism, judgement and lack of confidence has surpassed hope in God. Is that how human beings should continue to live in this world amid the pandemic?
Hope is faith in the absolute promise that miracles will prevail when darkness tries to overcome our despair. Hope is a gift from God that helps us yearn and live a life that believes and moves with the pledge of a better tomorrow. Hope brings resurrection life and draws us near to the love of Christ who can make the way for everlasting life.
Martin Luther lived through a plague, which lasted for about four to five months. He did so because he deliberately chose not to flee from it. Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic that we face, the bubonic plague Luther endured was an epidemic. Even so, his courage and facing the reality of those days would not have emerged if he had not put his faith in God’s word.
Is there any hope for the world? King David yearned for God’s salvation during his time of suffering. He knew that his hope in God would renew and transform his life. So, during Lent, how can we hold on to hope when there is so much struggle, trouble and grief in our lives? The simplest answer will be to put our faith and trust in God. Only the Saviour born in Bethlehem can be our help and refuge.
Prayer: Pray that you will have faith in the absolute promises of God made certain in Jesus, which has the power to overcome your despair. Pray for the Lutheran Church of Myanmar that they will put their faith and trust in God to be their help and refuge.
Rev Martin Lalthangliana is the President of the Lutheran Church of Myanmar.
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