Hope in Times of Trouble

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This is a sermon that was given for the first Sunday of Advent on the theme of "hope." It is based on a passage from Lamentations chapter three, and it speaks about a message of hope that Jeremiah receives from the Lord even after the judgment the people have suffered for their disobedience.

Written Excerpts:

Lam. 3:22-24 (NKJV) Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

Introduction:

We have entered the Advent season of the year and a few moments ago the first candle was lit on the Advent Wreath as a way of reminding us about the themes of the season. As we were reminded earlier, the first candle represents the theme of “hope.” Certainly hope is one of the primary messages we receive in the Scriptures surrounding the coming of the Messiah that was promised.

I began to think about the theme of hope and looking for references in the Bible that highlight that message. I was drawn to the passage of Scripture we read earlier in the service because of the multiple uses of the word “hope.” But I was particularly interested because the word appears several times in this chapter that also has so much to say about suffering. As we look into the Scripture today, I want to examine the meaning of the word hope, as well as the context of the passage in Lamentations and then apply it in a helpful way for our benefit and encouragement today.

What is hope?

(This is not really a definition, but a personal perspective about “hope” by Albert Einstein) – Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed. (http://www.rudyh.org/common-sense-fun-quotes-jokes-quotations.htm)

Sometimes the ability to have hope depends on your interpretation of reality.

(Becky S. Barnes) At the elementary school where I teach, we recently had a problem with students throwing rocks. The principal made an announcement over the intercom warning students that anyone caught throwing rocks would be taken home by him personally. Later that day, during afternoon recess, a teacher admonished a kindergartner for throwing a rock.

"Didn't you hear what the principal said this morning?!" the teacher said in disbelief.

"Yeah," replied the proud lad, grinning from ear to ear. "I get to go home in the principal's car!" — "Small Talk," Today's Christian Woman Quoted in Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4.

Now, some of us here this morning know if this had happened to us, the only thing we could hope for was a memorable whipping after we got home!

(Complete Book of Zingers by Croft Pentz) The greatest enemy of man is not disease—it's despair.

Hope is the antidote for despair.

So, what is hope? How would you define it / describe it?

Hebrew

There are 13 different Hebrew words that are translated as “hope” in English.

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) The two words used most frequently are:
1. תִּקְוָה‎, tiqwâ, from (qavah); literal a cord (as an attachment); figurative expectancy: - expectation ([-ted]), hope, live, thing that I long for. 

[The background meaning of this word “a cord” is very interesting because to me it conveys the thought or idea of a cord/rope that draws me forward, or ties me to something that is yet to come.]

2. יָהַל‎, yāḥal, to wait; by implication to be patient, hope :- (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

Greek

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) There is 1 predominant Greek word for hope.
ἐλπίς, elpis, from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.

(Webster, 1913 ed.) Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

(Pocket Dict. Of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion) Hope is a positive expectation of some future good that is not yet present…. 

Hope, n: Desire and expectation rolled into one. Ambrose Bierce (http://www.rudyh.org/dictionary-fun-funny-quotes-quotations.htm#H)

(AMG Concise Bible Dict.) Hope is a characteristic of genuine faith in God. Such hope is different from the hope that people in general might speak of. It is not a mere wish for something, but a strong confidence that is placed in God. It is the assured belief that God will do what he has promised (Ps 42:5; 71:5; Rom 4:18; Heb 11:1). 

(William Barclay, The Letter to the Romans. From Christianity Today, "Reflections" -10/25/99) The Christian hope is the hope which has seen everything and endured everything, and has still not despaired, because it believes in God. The Christian hope is not hope in the human spirit, in human goodness, in human endurance, in human achievement; the Christian hope is hope in the power of God.

Hope in Lamentations?

What is the root word in the word “lamentation?” - Lament. A lament is To express or feel sorrow; to weep or wail; to mourn. (Webster)

In my pulpit Bible, it says, “The Lamentations of Jeremiah.” The book of Lamentations does not specify who the author is, but it was accepted in Jewish tradition to be Jeremiah. It was also presumed to be Jeremiah in the Septuagint (Gk. trans. of the OT) since it was located immediately following the book of Jeremiah (as our modern Bibles do). The Septuagint adds at the beginning of the book that Jeremiah, after Israel had gone into exile and Jerusalem was laid waste, sat down weeping and composed this lament over Jerusalem. (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Jeremiah and Lamentations).

It is believed to be laments of Jeremiah after the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Interesting Literary form in the book of Lamentations

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – One particular characteristic distinguishes the book of Lamentations as a very skilled piece of writing. The book’s structure is shaped by the Hebrew alphabet, which contains twenty-two letters. Chapters 1, 2 and 4 are written in the form of an alphabetic acrostic, whereby each verse begins with a different letter, working in succession through the whole of the Hebrew alphabet. In Lamentations 3 each group of three verses has the same letter at the start of each verse. Therefore, 3:1-3 all start with the first letter of the alphabet, verses 4-6 with the second, and so on, giving a total of sixty-six verses. Lamentations 5 does not have this acrostic pattern, although it too has twenty-two verses.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – Lamentations is obviously a book about suffering, addressing the subject on both a communal and a personal level, as we have seen. The book does not offer a solution to the problem of suffering. It is not a collection of theoretical essays on the subject of ‘why people suffer’ or ‘why God allows his people to suffer’. Rather, it consists of a series of emotional responses to the disaster of the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple and the Babylonian exile (although exile is not mentioned much; see 1:3, 18). Lamentations is not an exact description of the disaster of 587 b.c., but an intense reaction to it.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – The essential point in understanding the theology of Lamentations is that the people of God were supposed to live a life wholly committed to God; failure to do so would cause the disintegration of society and the breakdown of all relationships. The disasters mourned over in Lamentations are not the whim of a capricious God who ‘likes’ to punish (Lam. 3:33). In the midst of suffering, there is recognition that God is righteous (1:18) and that his compassions never fail (3:22). His faithfulness is great (3:23), echoing verses in Exodus (34:6-7).

(Tyndale) It seems possible that the “hope” passages of chapter 3 actually provide the “theological center” of the book.

Encouragement in hope.

To me, it seems that the main important point of this chapter is the fact that all of the troubles mentioned in the earlier verses are not just incidental cases of adversity and tragic random disasters, but they are the consequences for failing to obey the Lord and live by the “rules of conduct” outlined in the covenant. Yet, in spite of the judgment from a holy God, there is hope. This is specifically “hope for the disobedient.” It is hope for the “rebel.” It is a message that God has continually shown compassion, He has continually exhibited His faithfulness and He will grant forgiveness and pardon if they will turn back to Him.

Look at Lam. 3:22-24 again: Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

The Bible provides numerous passages / texts that offer hope for sinners and saints. But this passage in Lamentations, I believe, is specifically written to give hope to the person/people who have turned against the Lord and disobeyed Him, but now recognize the error of their ways and seek to be reunited with God. This text is not specifically about the incarnation / coming of the Messiah, yet His coming is all about giving wayward sinners the hope that God loves us and wants us back.

If there is anyone here today that has turned your back on God and walked away from Him and His will for your life, I want to assure you that there is no better time than now to get back in the right relationship with the Lord and take full advantage of His compassion and His mercies that are “new every morning.” 

We are going to close the service by singing a hymn by Norman Clayton: My Hope Is in the Lord, #540

Christian believer, this is a reminder that our only hope of salvation is in Christ. Sinner, backslider, wayward son/daughter, this is also a reminder to you that hope is still offered. You can return to the Lord and recommit your life by seeking His forgiveness and His grace.