The God of hope
by Rev Dr Wilfred John Samuel
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
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.
Paul structures this verse in the form of a prayer, inviting us to ponder two vital and interconnected points. The first is a fundamental question: who can offer hope, peace and joy amid suffering and grief? The second is an invitation to put our trust in God, who, through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, has drawn people to himself and remains the source of hope. Since no-one is exempt from pain, suffering and grief, we need to prepare for such situations.
Paul reminds us that help is near us if we put our trust in God. The recent COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest and wars in some countries, famine, economic crises and other similar situations may have led some congregations, individuals and families to experience extreme pain and grief.
In this text, Paul reminds us that we are not left alone and helpless because the God of hope will fill us with ‘all joy and peace’ as we put our trust in him. The power of the Holy Spirit enhances our spiritual journey, enabling us to understand the grace of God and find joy and peace in his presence. The very title Paul gives God is ‘the God of hope’. This helps us to understand the inclusive nature of the gospel, which draws us to Christ by grace through faith and aids us to embrace the joy, peace and hope offered by God.
As we face trials and difficult times, we need to allow the Holy Spirit, with whom we have been sealed, to minister and revitalise us through an overflow of joy, peace and hope.
Prayer: Pray for Churches in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei that the progress of the gospel and missionary task will not be hampered, despite the depressing socio-economic and political challenges they face. Pray for Rev Dr Wilfred, the staff and the students studying through the Lutheran Study Centre in Sabah. Pray for more young people to feel inspired to offer themselves to full-time ministry.
Rev Dr Wilfred John Samuel is from the Lutheran Study Centre, Sabah.
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