Read: Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

In 1989, Tania (a friend from school) and myself decided to go and visit another one of our friends, Julie. Julie had taken up a job as a nursing sister in the far north of Queensland amongst the community of Wujal Wujal. The thing is, both Tania and I worked in Adelaide. So, we packed up my car, a Toyota Corona MK ll, and began our trek. It was during the January school holidays, and it was hot.

Back then, no mobile phones so we just trusted that this car would get us there and hoped to be able to spend a couple weeks with our friend. We did have a few mishaps needing to stay in one town for a couple nights to have the engine repaired, but we finally arrived in Cairns. Julie met us at the Lutheran church where we left my car and packed into her 4WD. Wujal Wujal is a remote Aboriginal community, and we needed to go through rivers and across extremely rugged roads. What an experience! Living amongst this community was incredible, and they had to rely and trust on getting supplies across the Bloomfield River. This river was tidal, so during the wet season it became very dangerous. To get us across, Julie knew the tide times and got us safely across at low tide.

What is the difference between hope and trust? Hope is the feeling of desiring and expecting a particular thing to happen. Trust, on the other hand, is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. In the Bible, sometimes we may think that hope and trust are interchangeable, and in some cases it does work. But, in our lives, we put our trust (firm belief, reliability) in a loving God who sent His only Son to earth for our salvation.

Our hope (expectation) lies in the promises that we are given by Jesus – He has many rooms in His Father’s house, and He has prepared a place for us. (John 14:2) We put our trust in God for the hope of a future with Him!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I confidently place my trust in the fact that you died for me. My hope lies in your resurrection and that you also will take me to be with you where you are. Amen.

Eagles’ Wings 9th Day in Lent (Friday)

Read: Isaiah 40:1-8, 28-31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 440:31 (NIV)

In January of 1991, I left Australia to join a Lutheran Youth Encounter team out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. I had no idea what that would entail. It was a journey of faith. Looking back, I realise how incredibly unprepared I was for this ministry. Training was to be held in the Black Hills of South Dakota (camping) for two weeks, but as I left Australia early, I missed all the correspondence of what to have and bring.

I didn’t have a sleeping bag, or pillow, or towel – just me, clothes, guitar and flute. As part of the training in South Dakota, we were to spend 24 hours in solitude in the bush, away from people and tents, just a sleeping bag, food and a Bible. I was rather concerned, not knowing if there were bears or mountain lions. Anyway, off I went – just me! I hiked to a hill above the camp – could just see it through the trees, it was at a point called ‘Eagles’ Nest’. There I lay my sleeping bag on the ground and sat on it. Silence can be very loud.

Well, I thought, let’s see what God has to say to me, so I just closed my eyes and opened my Bible, and it came to Isaiah 40. That day these verses spoke to me and gave me comfort. The Word of God is living, and the Bible says different things to me each time I open it. As I was reading the above verse, Isaiah 40:31, I looked up and there was an eagle soaring above me. I truly felt God’s presence and left all my fears of bears and mountain lions with God. To show me His presence, when I awoke the next morning, there was a small deer one metre from where I lay.

That time of solitude showed me so much about placing my hope and trust in a loving God. I pray that you also can experience this strength and comfort. Open your Bible and have it speak to you. Put your hope in God and feel yourself soar like on eagles’ wings!

Prayer: In you Lord, I put my trust. In you I hope and this gives me strength for each day. Help me to read your Word regularly and allow myself space and time to fully comprehend what you are saying. Amen.

Our Present Hope 8th Day in Lent (Thursday)

Read: Proverbs 23:15-19

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18 (NIV) A year ago, my nephew went on a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) expedition taking a wooden sailing boat called the Vaka Hop’e from the Philippine Islands to the Solomon Islands. (You can google it to get all the tales of their journey.) The name signifies that it is a boat bringing hope across to the Solomon Islanders who will use it through mission activities and development within the community. During my nephew’s journey which took three months, and sailed over 2,900 nautical miles, the crew of four experienced many adventures.

It was a simple catamaran tied together with ropes to give flexibility on the seas. While travelling through the Indonesian waters in the night a rudder broke in heavy seas, then the second of the rudders broke. They thought they would be carried on to the rocks, but somehow using an oar as a rudder, they got to the shore of an island where a local islander made them two new rudders. In Papua New Guinea they encountered thieves and pirates, but all escaped unharmed. God was with them through their journey, and many friends and family (including us) were lifting them all up in prayer.

Throughout the journey, they felt the calling to do God’s work to bring and provide the Solomon Island community with this boat for their work and mission. We all are on a journey. Maybe not one like the Vaka Hop’e, but it is a personal journey through life. In Proverbs 23:15-19, the writer gives wisdom to his son. It is also wisdom to us.

We are to be wise and put our hope in the Lord. God is our present hope and our future hope. In your life, whatever adventures and mishaps that may steer you off path and cause concern, “…be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.”

(verse 19) When your heart and sight is set on God, everything else will fall into place. Meditate on God’s Word this Lenten season and watch Him steer your life. Our future hope starts with our present hope.

Prayer: My loving Saviour, through your life and the adventures you encountered, you never swayed from where your sight was set. God set your course to the cross to secure my future hope. Thank you. Amen.