Hope In The Waiting

Reading of the Word

Psalm 25:1–10 NASB 2020

To You, Lord, I lift up my soul. My God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies rejoice over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, For Your goodness’ sake, Lord. The Lord is good and upright; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth To those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies.

Prayer of Illumination

Gracious God, as we enter into this season of Advent, we come with hearts full of anticipation and longing. We thank You for the light of Christ, which shines in the darkness and leads us on the path of hope, peace, joy, and love. Open our hearts and minds as we hear Your Word today. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate our understanding, that we might truly recognize the presence of Christ among us, guiding our steps in this season of waiting and preparing. Help us to draw near to You, to receive Your Word with open hearts, and to live as beacons of Your light in the world. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.

Introduction

Today is the beginning of Advent, which for Christians also means the beginning of the new church year. Our church year does not circulate in the same way the calendar year does. The calendar year begins on January 1 every time, but the beginning of the church year is always the first Sunday of Advent, which is not the same day each year.

When a new year begins, we often reflect on the previous year. We rejoice in our successes and lament our failures, hardships, losses, and lack. In lament, we recognize that things are not as they should be. There is too much war, death, despair, oppression, injustice, and brokenness in our world. Often, the brokenness can feel overwhelming, never-ending, all-consuming.

A young man who always struggled with math finally decided to ask his teacher for help. She encouraged him, saying, 'If you put your trust in me, I can guide you through this.' After weeks of working together, he finished his final exam with confidence. Just as he had hope in his teacher, we can have hope in God, knowing He will guide us through life's challenges, no matter how impossible they may seem!

As we come to the first Sunday of Advent, a new beginning for the church year to come, we are reminded that we are people who hope because of who God is, who God has always been, and who God continues to be.

Our hope is not unrealistic. We have hope not only because of what God has promised to us is yet to come but also because of the promises God has already fulfilled. Therefore, while we may live in a reality where there is brokenness and despair, and we know that things are not as they should be, we hope in God, who is continually working to make things right and good and whole.

We are reminded of that promised hope in Psalm 25.

1. Connection with God

a. The psalms were written to make intentional space for God’s people to commune with God in the midst of all facets of life.

i. As a result, we have a variety of psalms in the Psalter: praise, hymn, lament, imprecatory, thanksgiving, remembrance, wisdom, royal.

b. More than half of the psalms, including Psalm 25, are attributed to Israel’s King David.

c. Psalm 25 is an acrostic poem in Hebrew, which means that the first letter of each verse begins with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

i. One of the reasons for this style of writing is to allow the reader to more easily remember or memorize the poem.

We must hold onto God’s Word, trusting that He will bring it to mind when we need hope the most.

Psalm 86:11 NASB 2020

Teach me Your way, Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

The only way we can live in God’s truth is to learn God’s truth through being students of the Word.

2. Life with God

a. Psalm 25 appears to be a reflection on the events that have shaped the life of the one praying. It is not about one single moment but about the totality of life that is lived with God.

In studying the Hebrew of this text, verse 1 proves this. As we lift our soul to God, its not a temporary raising when we need God in times of trouble but its a permanent setting of our affections on him, raising the whole of our lives to him.

b. Similarly, Advent is not about one Sunday or one year or even the original season of waiting for the Messiah that occurred before Jesus’s birth. It is about an entire life of faith as the church lives with God.

c. Advent is about trusting God’s promise even in the midst of waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.

Traditionally, the first two Sundays of Advent focus on the second coming of Christ. We live in an ongoing Advent, waiting expectantly until Christ fulfills His final promises.

Jesus I trust in You! During Advent, make it a habit to repeat these words at least 5x a day. The more you say something, the more you believe it.

d. Life with God is found in our relationship with him.

Spend time with God.

Picture a professional athlete training for a major competition. They spend countless hours pushing their limits, facing setbacks, and prioritizing their goals. However, every drop of sweat and pain is shaping them into a champion. When we engage in spiritual disciplines—prayer, study, and community—we train for a life transformed by Christ. It’s not always easy, but each effort builds our capacity to love deeply, act faithfully, and reflect His character in a world that desperately needs it.

When we seek him with all of our heart, we will find him.

Make it a habit. Do it with no excuses.

Psalm 16:11 NASB 2020

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

3. Surrendering to God and Transformed by God

a. In the opening verses of Psalm 25, David is crying out to God in surrender. He calls on God and God alone: “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” David does not call on other entities— just God.

i. David’s act of trust and surrender is serious. He is admitting that he does not know everything and that he wants to know more about God’s ways.

b. David’s willingness to be transformed by who God is reminds us that transformation leads to action.

David had the desires of his heart met because of God’s grace and mercy.

Instruction and guidance - God showed David his way through revelation of the truth and teaching him.

b. Pardon from sin - God mercy and love, known for ages, would give him forgiveness and nothing would be held against him.

If anyone had sins that God could have held against him, it was David.

Adultery with Bathsheba.

The murder of Uriah.

He took a census against God’s instruction.

He was a bad parent to his children.

David repented and trusted God not to remember his sin.

He transformed from a man chasing worldly ways to a man after God’s own heart. That’s how I want to be remembered when my time on earth is done—as someone who sought a heart transplant, trading his own desires for God’s heart.

c. If we are a people who are going to be transformed by God, then we will also become a people who are upright, loving, and faithful.

None of this is done in our own power. Being transformed is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

The only thing we can do is surrender everything to God and trust Him to complete the work He has started in us.

Surrendering to God is never easy. We cling tightly to control, convinced we can handle things better on our own. But if we just let go and let God, he will prove himself faithful.

d. We will become a people who hope in the midst of despair, who spread light in a world of darkness, who share love in a world of hate.

So many, maybe even someone here today, live in the darkness of despair. Perhaps guilt weighs them down, or loneliness casts a shadow over their heart. For some, it might be insecurity whispering lies that they aren’t enough, leaving them unable to see any light. Maybe it’s grief, fear, or uncertainty about the future that feels overwhelming.

What about you? What are you carrying today? What burdens or shadows feel too heavy to bear? Whatever you’re going through, know that you don’t have to face it alone. There is a hope that shines even in the deepest darkness—a light that overcomes and offers healing, comfort, and peace. I’m here too! Will you let that light into your heart today?

The story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's hope. The son wandered far away, squandering his inheritance, yet upon returning, he was met with open arms. This showcases how our relationship with God is always available, providing us with hope even when we stray. His love welcomes us back, allowing us to rebuild and restore our lives.

This time of year offers a powerful reminder of how darkness can try to overwhelm us. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, we feel the weight of the darkness around us.

Darkness doesn’t just surround us physically—it consumes the world spiritually as well. Sin and death have cast a shadow over creation, leaving the world in deep spiritual darkness. But God calls us to find our light in Him.

He wants to shine His light into your heart, filling you with hope and peace. And He calls us to share that light, so others can experience the life-changing power of His presence.

The hope we find in God just in our text today:

God is love

God is dependable

God is merciful

God is praiseworthy

God’s is compassionate

God’s is faithful

God forgives and forgets the sins we repent of

God remembers his promises because he never changes

God is our salvation

God is always with us

God is good

God is upright

God gives us knowledge

God gives us direction and wisdom

God’s is just

God is truth

God is trustworthy

To Sum It Up - The first Sunday of Advent invites us to embrace God’s trustworthy and transformative hope, reflecting on His promises and sharing His light as we prepare for Christ’s coming.

Conclusion

Psalm 25 reminds us that our God is trustworthy and faithful. During Advent, even in times of lament, we hold onto the promise of hope. This hope isn’t passive—it transforms us and calls us to act as agents of Christ’s hope in the world.

Amid the holiday hustle, I encourage you to pause daily with the devotional accompanying this series. Reflect on its questions and challenges, letting this season of waiting center your heart on Christ. Reflection prepares us to see and share how God’s hope is at work in our lives and families.

The church sanctuary will be open throughout Advent for quiet moments of prayer and stillness. The Christmas lights will remain on as a small reminder of hope in the waiting.

This season can feel overwhelming, even for me. I’ll spend time here too, seeking the same hope and transformation that Jesus offers. Let’s embrace this time of waiting together, allowing the hope of Christ to change us and shine through us to the world. Let’s find hope as we are changed in the waiting.

Prayer Following Message

Lord God, we thank You for the Word You have spoken to us today. As we begin this Advent journey, we are reminded of Your promise to come again and to make all things new. Fill our hearts with hope as we wait for the fulfillment of Your promises. Strengthen us in our faith and help us to live out the message of Advent—ready to receive the light of Christ into our lives. May this season be a time of renewal, where we draw closer to You, finding peace in Your presence and joy in Your love.

Guide us to be messengers of Your hope and light to a world in need. As we await the coming of our Savior, empower us to share His love with all those around us. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our hope and salvation. Amen.

Benediction

As we begin this season of Advent, may the hope of Christ fill your hearts and guide your steps. May you walk in the light of His promise, waiting with eager anticipation for His coming into the world and into your life. May peace be with you as you prepare a place for Him in your hearts, and may joy overflow as you share the light of His love with others. Go now in the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, both now and forevermore. Amen.