Hope

Introduction

Hope vs Wish

Wish - earlier this week when they started talking about snow! I love snow! I’m a December baby.

Hope is not a wish, even though some people see them as synonyms.

Hope is expectation. My hope is in!

Hebrews 6:19 ESV

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

As a Christian, I don’t experience wishful thinking. I experience Hope.

The work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection provides expectation for life and for eternity.

Hurt

v. 15

Rachel - the favorite of Jacob. She was desperate for children.

Genesis 30:1 ESV

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”

Eventually, she became the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. From Joseph came Ephraim and Manasseh. North.

Explains her weeping in Ramah. The staging area for deportation into exile.

Jeremiah 40:1 ESV

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he took him bound in chains along with all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.

Her descendants were going to be taken. All is lost!

The nation is gone because of their disobedience.

A time when this same despair was felt. Within two years of the birth of Jesus.

Herod sought to destroy this rival.

Matthew 2:17–18 ESV

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

What is referred to as the slaughter of the innocents. Extreme grief.

This has been a year of hurt for many. Not just because of COVID.

Illnesses, deaths, financial strain, tension, division, injustice, loneliness.

Hurt. What do we do when there is hurt?

In the midst of hurt, where do we turn?

Is there hope?

Hope

vv. 16-17

Beauty of Advent is that it reminds us of Hope.

God points out that on the other side of the hurt is hope.

The exiles will be brought home. A reunion awaits!!

They will come home.

“The new normal.” Blowing birthday candles. Handshakes. Large gatherings. Introverts.

Hope is what sustains us and keeps us moving forward.

The future will be better.

But, we must consider what it will be based upon.

Heal

vv. 18-19

The hope of Israel was dependent upon their repentance.

God will not reward disobedience.

Ephraim grieved. Not just what they had lost but why they were lost.

Restoration was based upon their confession.

Healing required grief.

True healing addresses the cause and doesn’t just treat the symptoms.

God heals us by removing and replacing our sin nature!

A work that only He can do as we repent towards Him for healing.

Help

v. 20

God calling His children out, disciplined them but remembered them.

Remembrance precedes rescue.

God remembered Noah in the ark - and He acted to rescue them.

“My heart yearns.” Rachel’s longing for children, “…or I’ll die.” Irony - Benjamin.

Her heart’s longing resulted in her death.

God’s yearning for us cost Him. Jesus died to rescue you.

To give you forgiveness and to give you Hope.

Conclusion

Christmas Eve 1914. British / Belgian / French vs Germans.

Graham Williams (5th London Rifle Brigade): Germans would sing then British.

Until O Come, All ye Faithful.

The next morning - German troops in English “Merry Christmas!”

Exchange of gifts: cigarettes, food, buttons, hats.

Roasted a pig and kicked around a makeshift soccer ball.

They discovered hope in an unlikely place at an unlikely time.

Maybe this year seems an unlikely year to find hope.

You can. It is in Jesus.