This evening we concluded an incredible day of learning at HOPE’s Annual Global Leadership Summit with an hour of worship and prayer. As we sang I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross, the words to this familiar chorus hit me with a new profundity. If we didn’t truly and deeply believe those words, would any of us be here? Would anyone give up a life of relative comfort to serve in countries as devastated by poverty as Haiti or the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Surely these people who worshipped alongside me tonight have been radically transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. And they’re on a mission to spread the Good News of that love to others, from Kinshasa to Kigali to Chisinau.
The song that best summed up my experience with HOPE was “Our God” by Chris Tomlin.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
I think of the things HOPE network members have overcome in God’s power. We have relied on Him to accomplish “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20), and He has been faithful.
Our God is greater
He’s shown Himself greater than the operational challenges our staff confront on a daily basis.
Our God is stronger
He’s stronger than any and all forces that oppose loosing the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free (Isaiah 58).
God you are higher than any other.
He’s higher than the government officials with whom we interact, and His kingdom will reign forever.
Our God is Healer.
In this past year, He has miraculously healed staff members from cancers proclaimed deadly and accidents that could have been fatal.
Awesome in power.
His power astounds us, if only we open our eyes to see it.
Our God, our God.
In each of HOPE’s 15 countries of operation around the world, we serve one God. What a blessing to know that He is the One who “turn[s]the darkness into light” and “make[s] the rough places smooth” (Isaiah 42:16).
