From helplessness to hope
by Anja Markkanen
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The devotions for the coming week are taken from LCA International Mission’s 2022 ’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.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds (Psalm 36:5).
Think of a sunny day when the sun is high above you, and the clouds are far away. Think of standing on a rock where you can see a long way, with clouds high above you and a stream below your feet. You may think to yourself, ‘What beautiful scenery!’ It is easy to agree with the psalm writer when standing on the mountain and looking around. Everything is calm and beautiful, nature in peaceful order. At the same time, I know that many human beings suffer down here.
God´s love is eternal. We human beings make mistakes due to limited vision and knowledge and our constant struggle with sin. Still, God is always ready to forgive because of his steadfast love and grace. His judgements come from deep wisdom and righteousness. God has mercy on us.
Our imagination is limited in seeing what God is capable of doing. We can just trust that nothing is too small or complicated for God. His love covers everything because of his faithfulness. He has promised to be with us in all circumstances. No matter how great an obstacle we face, we can trust God to help. Jesus said, ‘all things are possible to those who believe’ (Mark 9:23). As those who have been forgiven and loved back to life by Jesus, we are called to join together in bearing his love and mercy to the world – love and mercy that makes all things possible.
‘Home of Grace’ in Bangkok offers a place to stay for women who are rejected by their family, community, relatives and friends. As women get counselling, empowerment and healing, they become capable of going back to their families and communities and living their lives as equal members of their community. They will also be witnesses of God´s love as they tell of what they have experienced of his love and care.
At Home of Grace, the staff sometimes feel helpless in front of trouble. Not all the challenges are solved when a young mother leaves the home. Prayers follow the young, fragile mother when she leaves the home full of hope for a better future.
If you feel you are dragged down by declining hope or diminished faith, or you have lost vision for your life, you can be sure that God is there with you and will guide you out of despair. He is entirely capable of accomplishing things far beyond our limited vision and humble attempts. God is faithful and righteous, and he has proven that by sending Jesus as our Saviour. Everything is possible with God.
Prayer: Pray for the church work done in Thailand through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand parishes and Diakonia Department among vulnerable people. Pray for the beneficiaries of diaconal help, including the women who seek help from Home of Grace. Pray they can be witnesses of God´s love in their neighbourhoods. Pray that you trust God´s faithfulness and righteousness, his eternal love toward his people and earth.
Anja Markkanen is Advisor of Diaconia Work in South-East Asia, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM).
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