Lent Devotional: RestorationChikamu

How did you feel when you woke up this morning? Tired? Excited? Anxious? With everything happening in the world, sometimes things can feel pretty hopeless. Wars are raging. Hatred and injustice are spreading. The cost of living is rising, and people living in poverty are in urgent need.

It can be easy to feel discouraged. But even in these circumstances, God’s word promises that as we trust in him, we will ‘overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 15:13)

We see this hope in the gospels, in the person of Jesus.

In today’s passage, Jesus meets a man who has suffered for 38 years. Can you imagine waiting 38 years for something? Maybe you have. Perhaps you are still waiting. This man waited patiently, showing up to the pool every day. But his hope was in the wrong place. It wasn’t the waters that healed him - it was Jesus!

Sometimes, God answers our prayers instantly. At other times, change takes years. But if we keep our eyes open, we can see hope everywhere.

Ratna and Joseph’s story

¯¯¯¯

In Bangladesh, the church is at the heart of bringing transformation to entire communities. When Ratna and her husband, Joseph, (pictured above) attended Tearfund’s training in their local church, they learned new skills, and they strengthened their faith in Jesus. Ratna started a Bible study and became influential in helping her community improve its clean water supply.

Poverty steals people’s hope. But through the generosity of people like you, God is restoring hope all around the world.

Joseph says, ‘I would pray to God in the night with tears in my eyes about all these things, and now, a lot of changes have come in my life. So I firmly believe that God has heard my call.’

Is there something you’ve been praying for for a long time?

Reflect

¯¯¯¯

• Have you ever put your hope in something other than Jesus? In money, health, career, or relationships? Ask God for forgiveness and for help to put your hope in him.
• What are you hoping or praying for? Write a list, including the big things and the small things. Ask God to renew your hope for each one.
• Do you know someone who is feeling hopeless at the moment? Lift them in prayer, asking God to encourage and strengthen them.

Pray

¯¯¯¯

Lord,

I’m sorry for when I put my hope in the wrong things.

Thank you, Jesus, for being my living hope.

Would you fill me with joy and peace by the power of your Holy Spirit,

and strengthen me daily as I put my trust in you,

so that I might overflow with hope to those around me.

Would you breathe new life into my dreams and remind me that nothing is impossible with you?

In Jesus’ name, amen.

With every blessing,

Lydia Lewis

Editor

To get these weekly devotions sent to your inbox, click here: www.tearfund.org/devotional24