Hope builds faith
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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The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).
Read Psalm 147:1–11
I believe that God gave farmers a mammoth share of faith. Year after year, they sow their crops in the hope that God will send rain for a good harvest. Other farmers spend money and time on feeding their animals in the hope that God will give a good return at the market.
While in Loxton, South Australia, I truly got to understand the meanings of faith and hope. In verses 8 and 9 of Psalm 147 is written:
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
But what happens when this doesn’t occur in our timing?
My farmer friends from Loxton have faced desperate times without rain, as well as seasons of good harvests. God asks us and those farmers to fear him (respect him) and to continue hoping that, in his unfailing love, he will provide what is needed. It may not be the desired rain, but it may come in the form of help from friends, neighbours and family coming together in faith.
When we are in need and hope, we pray! God hears the prayers of the faithful, and he will uphold you with the strength to cope for another day. Throughout the Bible, we read of God’s love and faithfulness – we only need to hold onto this hope and promise.
This is a beautiful psalm of promise in remembering all that God does for us:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit (Psalm 147:3–5).
Our God is an incredible God. If he knows the billions and trillions of stars by name, he knows your name and hears the prayers of his children. God wants us to rest in the hope that he loves us and hears all our concerns. This Lenten season, open your hearts to pray – for your family, your neighbours, those in need and the world.
Hope builds faith!
Loving Father, you know all my needs and concerns. I come to you in prayer, asking for help for our farmers. Knowing that you hear my prayers, I place my hope in your promises. 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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