Waiting in hopeful Expectation

Times of Despair

Think this morning about a time in your life where it seemed all hope was lost and all that existed was despair. A time when God seemed absent.

For me that time in my life was the year spent in Baghdad, Iraq. If you have never been to a war zone it literally is hell on earth. I remember the steep dark descent of the C-130 as my unit and I arrived in Baghdad . I remember the sound of gun fire plinking off the plane as we landed. I remember the usual welcome of a mortar and rocket attack shortly after we arrived. As the sun came up the next day I remember all the bombed out and bullet riddled buildings, the smell of gun powder, the smell of sulfur filled the air. I remember the inner cry of my soul that day, was God where are you?

As we encounter the prayer from Isaiah 64:1-9, this prayer comes at a time for the people of God where they are asking the same questions. Returning from the Babylonian exile they see the war torn ruins of what was once the city of Jerusalem. They see the pile of rubble that was once the beautiful Temple of Solomon. In their despair, when all hope seems lost, they cry out to God for Him to come down.

Mark 13:24-37 paints an apocalyptic scene for the followers of Christ. Jesus tells them of the destruction of the second temple and other chaotic things that are going to happen, before the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus message for his followers then and now despite being surrounded by hopelessness and despair, despite unbelievable things happening, Jesus tells his followers not to panic, not to lose hope, but to remember God is in control, and he will one day come and redeem all creation. As followers of Christ we are to keep watch and wait in hopeful expectation of his imminent return. Today marks the beginning of advent, we remember the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people, in the person of Jesus Christ. In our despair God came down gave us hope, and he will come again.

1 Timothy 1:15 NLT

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

Mark 13

Our text today starts in the middle of a longer prophetic teaching of Christ, that begins all the way in verse 1 of chapter 13. Jesus is letting his followers know of things that will happen in their lifetime. How do we know this? Because of verse 30 I tell you the truth this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.

Jesus and his disciples are gathered on the mount of olives overlooking Jerusalem. Jesus tells them of desperate times, with war, natural disasters, persecution and the utter destruction of the second temple which was still going through a building project. The scene Jesus paints is a scene of apocalyptic despair for his followers. At times such as this it can be difficult to feel or even see God with us.

The overall message Christ has for his followers then and now is this; despite everything you see going on around you don’t panic. Why don’t we panic? Because Christ is here with us through the darkness of our despair. We stay ready and keep watch in hopeful anticipation for the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem all creation.

Despair to Hope

I give thanks that almighty God answered the cry of his people in Isaiah and stepped down into the darkness of our despair, lit the light of hope in the birth of Christ. Alleuia! Christ has come!

I give thanks that because at my most desperate moment God didn’t leave me abandoned in Baghdad Iraq. He heard the inner cry of my soul that day and reminded me time and time again that he was there with me. He transformed the despair of a war zone into the great hope that his presence was leading me home. If Christ has lead you through some pretty desperate times shout with me now. Alleluia! Christ is here!

Almighty God our father because of his infinite love, grace and mercy transforms the darkness of our despair, into the glorious light of hope. Reminding us not to panic because at our most desperate times he is with us. At humanities most desperate time he came into this world in a completely unexpected way, we must keep watch and wait with hopeful expectation for his second coming. Alleluia! Christ will come again!

Revelation 22:20–21 NLT

20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

Let’s keep watch, pray and prepare the way for him.