This season, we’re blessed with a set of Lenten devotionals by contributing author Lee Hinkle.  Find out more about Lee at the bottom of this article, or at hinkledownunder.com.

Reading

Isaiah 54 (ESV)

Meditation

I have been watching from the other side of the world (really not “the other side” for me anymore; this is my side of the world) the political goings on in the States. I know today some of you are happy that your candidate is in the lead, some are disappointed that things did not go the way you would like, and some of you are gobsmacked.

[pullquote]”‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
-Isaiah 54:10[/pullquote]In Australia, we are having debates about next elections, seeing a downturn in the economy, etc. There are a lot of things that could bring our minds to trouble. And those are the external things. Our internal things, our families, our health, our self-understanding can all lead us to a place of desperation.

We can live in a place where we are just one more thing away from completely going under. Go back and re-read the words of your Loving God. Read again His promise to you that are honoured and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hear verses 9 and 10, “‘This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Let the verses wash over you. Even as we recognize how crazy and out of control the world can be, even as we remember how dark our own heart can be we, hear our Loving God sing over us this love song.

Prayer

Father, Loving God, Holy One, We praise you and rest in the promise of your everlasting love. Amen.

Lenten Action

Read this passage a few more times. Work to memorize it.

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Lee Hinkle is an American pastor who, with his family of 7, felt God’s call to pack up and plant a church in Fremantle, a town in Perth, Western Australia.  Last Summer, the Hinkles left Indianapolis and arrived in Oz to begin their work.  You can follow their adventures at hinkledownunder.com.