Daring to Hope: Finding Faith Amidst Despair
Summary
Today’s focus is on the powerful phrase from Lamentations 3:21: “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this.” This declaration, set in the midst of deep sorrow and national tragedy, is a profound example of faith in the darkest of times. The context is the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of God’s people—a time of grief, loss, and despair. Yet, in the middle of this devastation, the writer (traditionally believed to be Jeremiah) chooses to “dare to hope” by remembering the unending love and mercy of God.
The book of Lamentations is not a random outpouring of grief, but a carefully structured series of five poems, each with its own pattern and purpose. Even in the midst of chaos, there is order—a reminder that God is present and sovereign, even when life feels shattered. The emotional heart of the book is found in chapter 3, where the writer moves from despair to hope, not by ignoring the pain, but by anchoring his soul in the character of God.
Three words stand out: dare, hope, and remember. To “dare” is to be bold, to face risk, and to act courageously. Hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation rooted in God’s faithfulness. Remembering is the discipline of calling to mind God’s promises and past mercies, especially when circumstances tempt us to forget.
Jeremiah’s hope is not naïve; he acknowledges the pain and the consequences of sin. But he also remembers that God’s love never ends, His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. This is not just a lesson for ancient Israel, but for us today. We all face seasons of disappointment, discouragement, and even despair. The invitation is to “dare to hope” by remembering who God is and what He has promised.
This hope is not passive. It is an act of spiritual courage, a refusal to let sorrow have the final word. It is a call to trust, to wait, and to submit to God’s discipline, knowing that restoration is possible. As Jeremiah prophesied, “There is hope for your future, says the Lord.” Let us be people who dare to hope, even when hope seems risky, because our God is faithful.
Key Takeaways
- Hope is an Act of Courage, Not Denial
True hope does not ignore pain or pretend that suffering isn’t real. Instead, it faces the darkness head-on and chooses to believe in God’s goodness anyway. To “dare to hope” is to take a spiritual risk, trusting that God’s love and mercy are greater than our circumstances. [01:52]
- Remembering God’s Character Anchors the Soul
When everything else is lost, what sustains us is the memory of God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy. The discipline of remembering—calling to mind God’s past acts and promises—becomes the foundation for hope in the present. This is not just nostalgia, but a lifeline in times of despair. [14:13]
- The Structure of Lamentations Teaches Us to Order Our Grief
Even in the midst of overwhelming sorrow, the poetic structure of Lamentations shows that our cries to God can have form and purpose. Grief does not have to be chaotic; it can be shaped into prayer, reflection, and ultimately, hope. This orderliness is itself a testimony to God’s sovereignty over our brokenness. [11:20]
- Hope and Faith Are Distinct but Intertwined
Faith is trusting in who God is, even when we cannot see the outcome; hope is the expectation of what God will do. Both are necessary: faith grounds us in the present, while hope pulls us forward into God’s future. Together, they empower us to endure and to look for God’s restoration. [18:01]
- Obedience and Hope Begin Early, but It’s Never Too Late
Jeremiah’s call to submit to God’s discipline “at an early age” is a reminder that the seeds of hope and obedience are best planted young. Yet, even for those who come to faith later in life, God’s mercies are new every morning, and restoration is always possible. Our past does not disqualify us from daring to hope in God’s promises. [24:00]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - Introduction to Lamentations: Daring to Hope
[05:19] - Who Was Jeremiah? Major and Minor Prophets
[07:32] - Jeremiah’s Message: Judgment and Hope
[08:37] - The Structure and Purpose of Lamentations
[11:20] - Acrostic Poems and Order in Grief
[12:28] - Exploring Lamentations 3:21 in Different Translations
[14:13] - The One Thing Remembered: God’s Faithful Love
[16:24] - The Meaning of “Dare,” “Hope,” and “Remember”
[18:01] - Distinguishing Hope from Faith
[20:47] - Words of Sorrow and Words of Hope
[22:49] - God’s Mercies Are New Every Morning
[24:00] - The Value of Early Obedience
[26:50] - Trusting God: Jeremiah’s Prophecies of Restoration
[28:45] - Daring to Hope in Our Own Lives
[31:39] - Offering and Supporting the Kingdom
[34:41] - Missions and Ministry Support
[36:07] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Daring to Hope in the Dark”
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### Bible Reading
Lamentations 3:20–27 (ESV)
20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Lamentations 3:21, what is the turning point for the writer in the middle of his grief?
2. What specific qualities of God does the writer remember in verses 22–23 that give him hope?
3. In verse 27, what does the writer say is “good” for a person to do at an early age? Why might this be important?
4. The sermon mentions that Lamentations is made up of five poems, some with a special structure. What does this structure show us about how we can approach our own grief? [[11:20]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The writer says, “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this.” Why is it significant that hope comes not from ignoring pain, but from remembering God’s character? [[14:13]]
2. The sermon explains that “dare,” “hope,” and “remember” are key words. What does it mean to “dare to hope” in a spiritual sense, especially when life feels hopeless? [[16:24]]
3. How does the difference between faith (“trusting who God is”) and hope (“expecting what God will do”) help us understand how to endure hard times? [[18:01]]
4. Why do you think the writer encourages obedience and submission to God’s discipline “at an early age”? What might be the consequences of waiting too long? [[24:00]]
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### Application Questions
1. The writer of Lamentations chooses to “dare to hope” even when everything seems lost. Can you think of a time in your life when hope felt risky? What helped you to hope anyway? [[01:52]]
2. The sermon says that remembering God’s faithfulness and mercy is a lifeline in times of despair. What is one specific way you can practice “remembering” God’s goodness this week? (For example, journaling, sharing stories, or praying with others.) [[14:13]]
3. The structure of Lamentations shows that even grief can have order and purpose. Is there a way you can bring more structure or intentionality to your own times of sorrow or prayer? What might that look like? [[11:20]]
4. The difference between faith and hope was described as “faith says I trust God is who He says He is; hope says I look forward to what God will do.” Which of these do you find harder right now—trusting God’s character or expecting His help? Why? [[18:01]]
5. The sermon talks about the value of early obedience but also says it’s never too late to start. If you feel like you’ve missed opportunities in the past, how can you respond to God’s “new mercies” today? [[24:00]]
6. Jeremiah prophesied, “There is hope for your future, says the Lord.” What is one area of your life where you need to hear and believe this promise? How can the group support you in daring to hope for restoration? [[26:50]]
7. The act of “daring to hope” is described as spiritual courage—a refusal to let sorrow have the final word. What is one practical step you can take this week to choose hope, even if your circumstances haven’t changed? [[16:24]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for anyone who is struggling to hope. Ask God to help each person remember His faithfulness and to give them courage to “dare to hope” in every situation.
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