Place your hope
by Anne Hansen
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On [God] we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers (2 Corinthians 1:10b,11a).
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–11
I was homesick. Filled with a spirit of adventure, I had left Australia for the UK, and I found myself in a busy home looking after someone else’s children as a nanny. The first weeks flew by as I settled into the children’s routine and the house routine.
But then I started to think about home and my family in Adelaide. They were such a long way away, and I yearned for something familiar. Then came a letter, and every week there was another – my faithful mother wrote me an aerogramme letter. This became my source of comfort, and in turn, I wrote back every week, sharing all my needs, joys and concerns. I placed my hope in this letter, knowing my mum understood.
Our Heavenly Father also understands our needs, concerns and worries. He listens and comforts us. As sinful humans, we know that we will experience troubles, homesickness, pain and hurt because that is all part of being a human. God doesn’t want us to hurt any more than he wants us to sin, but no matter what, he is always there sharing his love with us through all his letters (the Bible). We can rely on our loving Father to provide us with every good thing. He loved us so much that he sent his one and only Son to the cross to forgive us and provide a way for our salvation. That truly is a God who loves.
So, place your hope in a God who doesn’t change, listens to all your prayers, understands all your pain and hurt, and forgives you unconditionally. Paul, in the first chapter of his second letter to the people of Corinth, wanted to tell them all about this God who is ‘the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort’ (verse 3). This loving God gives us an example of how to care and comfort people so that we can show the same care and comfort to others.
So, place your trust and hope in a God who knows and understands!
My loving God, thank you for understanding me. You know what I need before I ask for help. Help me understand your ways so that I too may share them with others. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
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