Lent readings: First reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Second reading: Romans 15:4-13

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Where Is our hope? It’s easy to lose hope today. Wars, rising costs, global tensions, mental health struggles, culture wars—the list goes on. Optimism feels like it has disappeared. When I was younger, people believed science would solve everything. Now, it seems science brings new fears—AI, robots, drones, pandemics.

Where is our hope? Psalm 72 begins with hope in Israel’s King. It prays for a ruler who judges with righteousness, defends the poor, saves the needy, and crushes the oppressor. It longs for justice and peace to spread across nations so that God is praised and the earth filled with His glory.

It’s a breathtaking, ambitious prayer—but no earthly king ever fulfilled it. Not because God is weak, but because no king was faithful. The Psalm ends with the truest hope:

“Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.” (Psalm 72:18–19)

This King is Jesus—the Son of David. He will come to make all things right: This will happen, “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7)

“On the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:10)

In Jesus, God alone does marvellous deeds. This is where our hope rests. Praise His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen and Amen

Jason