At dawn, look to the East – {Lent}

“Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.”

Helm’s Deep. Trapped. A dwindling, weakening army. Looking out across a formidable enemy. Staring at defeat, imminent death. And then the sun begins to rise. And the words of Gandalf echo in their minds “look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.” Hope begins to rise in the hearts of the men (and elves, hobbits and dwarves!) And sure enough as the sun rises much needed help arrives. The tide turns on this battle and the orcs are defeated.

Hope is a powerful force. It gives us strength to hang in there, to carry on, to hold on. As Christians, hope encourages our faith and helps us persevere. But this hope is not just wishful thinking, fledgling or weak. Nor is it a hope that can be shattered due to the frailty of man. This hope is secure, assured and strong. This hope we have is in Christ. Easter assures us that we can have a hope that will not waiver for Christ laid down His life for us and was victorious in conquering death and hell. Christ’s death and Resurrection means that life is now lived from victory. Through Christ our salvation is certain.

 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)