Hope in Darkness

In a world that I believe is looking for hope, we can find our hope in a Savior who came to give His life for us, who cares for each one of us, and calls us to follow Him.  He is the One who can sustain us even in our darkest hours and can provide light even in the deepest darkness.  If 1st Corinthians 13 is the "love chapter," I might refer to Romans 15 as the "hope chapter."  It says:
3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Later, we can read:
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

The news out of Iran continues to be ominous, as the brutal regime lashes out at its neighbors, and as we have seen, is intent on attempting to maintain power and control in keeping its people in fear.  The Christian Post reported recently: "Iran executed champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi and two other men after convicting them of 'waging war against God in connection with the killing of two police officers during protests in January."

The article also noted:

Iran’s judiciary said the men were found guilty of involvement in the killing of two officers and of carrying out “operational actions” in favor of Israel and the United States, sources confirmed to CBS News.

The executions were the first hangings carried out by Iran in connection with nationwide demonstrations that began in late December over the rising cost of living and later turned into anti-government protests.

Rights groups said the three men were executed without a fair trial and after confessions were obtained under torture. There had been particular concern over Mohammadi’s case because of his age and status as an athlete.

And, of course, the trio was accused of having ties to the U.S. and Israel.

But, in the midst of what seems to be the unjust taking of human life by Iranian authorities, an Iranian man who himself is a victim of such violence is holding out hope for the future while he lives in Armenia.

CBN.com reported on the story of Abtin, stating:

Abtin raises his arm slowly. The scars are still there – a lasting reminder of the day he says Iranian security forces opened fire.
 
"There was an assassination attempt on my life. I was on the streets with others protesting the regime," he recalls.
 
Thousands had taken to the streets, angry over rising gasoline prices and what they saw as years of corruption and inequality.
 
"We were protesting the oppression and discrimination that existed in society by a handful of oligarchs who, for decades, took all the wealth of the country into their hands and did nothing for us. They don't care about people's pain and suffering," Abtin says.
 
Then came the gunfire. A shotgun blast tore into his arm.
 
"This is the result: after 4 surgeries, it looks like this," he explains, showing his scars.

Abtin found an Iranian church in his new home country, while hoping to return to a new Iran. The article quotes from the pastor of the church, Pastor Omid, who said, "The people of Iran need salvation even more than they need civil liberties and freedoms in our country. They need the salvation that comes through knowing Jesus Christ. The freedoms and comforts of this world are temporary and limited, but He is eternal."

The article relates: "Pastor Omid says, "The people of Iran need salvation even more than they need civil liberties and freedoms in our country. They need the salvation that comes through knowing Jesus Christ. The freedoms and comforts of this world are temporary and limited, but He is eternal."
 
The article states that, "Many Iranian believers here hope political change will one day let them return home."  Abtin is among them.  And, there are those, such as Jacob Pursley, who is helping to prepare Iranians living in Armenia near the border of the two countries for a return some day; he says, "Since we started the ministry there about six years ago, we've been raising up a church in the region, that's a missional church. Instead of going to Iran just to shop for goods, they go there to bring the love of Jesus. They are able to go there, make relationships with people in Iran, and as Armenians, they are accepted there, and they have a huge openness, and this is something an American could not do..."

So, in this border region, there is hope - for true freedom in Jesus Christ.  And, for new freedoms in the country they have loved and left.  Our sense of hope and expectation regarding what God can do can help to drive us to be more faithful in our expression of our love for our Savior.

We are approaching the commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Savior. Because of His love and promise of new life, we can face each day with the knowledge that He is with us and will give us power and direction.  Romans tells us that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.  And, Abtin's story and unwavering hope, even having been injured, is consistent with our sense of hope in Jesus Christ.