Embracing Hope: Trusting God in Our Waiting
Summary
In this Advent season, we find ourselves reflecting on the theme of waiting. Advent is not just about anticipating Christmas; it is a time to remember the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, a period when people wondered about God's presence and plans. Waiting is a universal challenge, and many of us struggle with it, whether it's in long lines, during uncertain times, or when facing life's trials. We often try to distract ourselves or cope in unhealthy ways, but the truth is, waiting is hard, especially when we lack control.
Jeremiah, the prophet, offers us a perspective on waiting well. In Jeremiah 33, he speaks to the people of God during a time of impending doom, as the Babylonian army approaches Jerusalem. Despite being imprisoned, Jeremiah remains hopeful, trusting in God's promises. He reminds us that God invites us to call on Him, promising to answer and reveal great and hidden things. This invitation is a call to trust God, even when the future seems uncertain.
Jeremiah's message is not just about a future king who will reign with justice and righteousness but also about a community's faith in God's faithfulness. It's a reminder that our hope lies not in earthly leaders but in a faithful God who desires a personal relationship with each of us. We are invited to call on God, trusting that He will answer and fulfill His promises.
In our waiting, we are encouraged to live in the light of God's victory, knowing that His promises never fail. This Advent season, let us embrace the invitation to trust God, to call on Him, and to find confidence in His faithfulness, even in the midst of life's uncertainties.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Challenge of Waiting: Waiting is a difficult task for many of us, often leading to frustration and anxiety. In the Advent season, we are reminded of the 400 years of silence between the Testaments, a time when people questioned God's presence. This period teaches us that waiting is an integral part of faith, requiring trust in God's timing and plans. [42:33]
2. Jeremiah's Perspective on Waiting: Jeremiah, despite being imprisoned and facing the destruction of Jerusalem, remains hopeful. He teaches us that waiting well involves trusting in God's promises and looking beyond immediate circumstances. Jeremiah's faith in God's faithfulness serves as a powerful example for us today. [46:44]
3. God's Invitation to Trust: God invites us to call on Him, promising to answer and reveal great and hidden things. This invitation is a call to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to guide us through uncertain times. It is a reminder that we can rely on God, even when the future seems unclear. [54:42]
4. The Promise of a Righteous King: Jeremiah speaks of a coming king who will reign with justice and righteousness. This promise points to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. It reminds us that our hope is not in earthly leaders but in a faithful God who desires a personal relationship with us. [01:02:12]
5. Living in the Light of God's Victory: As we wait, we are encouraged to live in the light of God's victory, trusting that His promises never fail. This Advent season, let us embrace the invitation to trust God, to call on Him, and to find confidence in His faithfulness, even in the midst of life's uncertainties. [01:10:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [42:33] - The Challenge of Waiting
- [46:03] - Coping with Waiting
- [46:44] - Jeremiah's Perspective
- [48:49] - Jeremiah's Calling
- [51:19] - The Wink of God
- [53:23] - God's Invitation to Trust
- [54:42] - Calling on God
- [56:29] - God's Perspective
- [01:02:12] - Promise of a Righteous King
- [01:03:00] - Jeremiah's Prophecy
- [01:06:09] - Community's Faith
- [01:08:04] - Personal Relationship with God
- [01:10:46] - Living in God's Victory
- [01:13:22] - Responding to God's Call
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Advent and the Challenge of Waiting
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 33:1-3, 14-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the historical context in which Jeremiah delivered his message in Jeremiah 33? How did his circumstances reflect the theme of waiting? [46:44]
2. According to the sermon, what specific invitation does God extend to His people in Jeremiah 33:3? How does this relate to the theme of trust? [54:42]
3. How does Jeremiah's prophecy in chapter 33 connect to the promise of a future king? What characteristics are highlighted about this king? [01:02:12]
4. What role does the community's faith play in Jeremiah's message, and how is it distinct from the faith of a king or leader? [01:06:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jeremiah's situation in prison influence his perspective on waiting and trusting in God's promises? What can we learn from his example? [46:44]
2. In what ways does the promise of a righteous king in Jeremiah 33:14-16 point to Jesus, and how does this promise provide hope during times of uncertainty? [01:02:12]
3. How does the invitation to "call on God" in Jeremiah 33:3 challenge our understanding of prayer and reliance on God during difficult times? [54:42]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of a personal relationship with God, and how does this differ from relying on earthly leaders or intermediaries? [01:08:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with waiting. How did you cope, and what might you do differently in light of Jeremiah's example of trusting in God's promises? [46:03]
2. Jeremiah speaks of a future king who will reign with justice and righteousness. How can this vision of Jesus influence your daily life and decisions, especially when facing uncertainty? [01:02:12]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of calling on God and trusting Him to reveal hidden things. What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer, trusting Him for guidance? [54:42]
4. Consider the role of community faith as described in the sermon. How can you contribute to building a community that places its hope in God's faithfulness rather than in human leaders? [01:06:09]
5. The sermon invites us to live in the light of God's victory. What practical steps can you take this Advent season to embrace this invitation and strengthen your faith in God's promises? [01:10:46]
6. Reflect on the personal relationship with God that Jeremiah describes. How can you deepen this relationship in your own life, and what changes might you need to make to prioritize it? [01:08:04]
7. Identify a specific situation where you feel a lack of control. How can you apply the lessons from Jeremiah's message to find peace and trust in God's timing and plans? [46:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Silence of Waiting
Waiting is a universal challenge that often leads to frustration and anxiety. During the Advent season, we are reminded of the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, a time when people questioned God's presence and plans. This period teaches us that waiting is an integral part of faith, requiring trust in God's timing and plans. In our own lives, we often find ourselves in situations where we must wait, whether it's for answers to prayers, the resolution of a difficult situation, or the fulfillment of a promise. In these moments, we are invited to embrace the silence and trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. [42:33]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are currently waiting for God's intervention. How can you embrace this period of waiting as an opportunity to deepen your trust in God's timing?
Day 2: Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty
Jeremiah, despite being imprisoned and facing the destruction of Jerusalem, remains hopeful. He teaches us that waiting well involves trusting in God's promises and looking beyond immediate circumstances. Jeremiah's faith in God's faithfulness serves as a powerful example for us today. In times of uncertainty, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that God's promises are true and that He is faithful to fulfill them. This hope is not based on our circumstances but on the character of God, who is unchanging and trustworthy. [46:44]
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty and how you responded. How can you cultivate a hopeful perspective in your current circumstances by focusing on God's faithfulness?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
God invites us to call on Him, promising to answer and reveal great and hidden things. This invitation is a call to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to guide us through uncertain times. It is a reminder that we can rely on God, even when the future seems unclear. In our daily lives, we are often faced with situations that are beyond our control, and it is in these moments that we are invited to lean into God's wisdom and guidance. By calling on God, we open ourselves to His direction and the peace that comes from knowing He is in control. [54:42]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty. What steps can you take today to actively call on God and seek His guidance in this area?
Day 4: The Promise of a Righteous King
Jeremiah speaks of a coming king who will reign with justice and righteousness. This promise points to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. It reminds us that our hope is not in earthly leaders but in a faithful God who desires a personal relationship with us. In a world where leadership often falls short, we are encouraged to place our trust in Jesus, who embodies perfect justice and righteousness. This promise assures us that God's kingdom is one of peace and justice, and we are invited to be a part of it. [01:02:12]
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." (Jeremiah 23:5, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how you can actively participate in God's kingdom of justice and righteousness. What actions can you take today to reflect the character of Jesus in your community?
Day 5: Living in the Light of God's Victory
As we wait, we are encouraged to live in the light of God's victory, trusting that His promises never fail. This Advent season, let us embrace the invitation to trust God, to call on Him, and to find confidence in His faithfulness, even in the midst of life's uncertainties. Living in the light of God's victory means walking in the assurance that God has already won the ultimate battle through Jesus. It is a call to live with confidence and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [01:10:46]
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV)
Reflection: How can you live more fully in the light of God's victory today? What specific steps can you take to align your actions and attitudes with the truth of God's promises?
Quotes
Waiting is hard, especially when you have no control, or maybe when you've lost control, or maybe when you want control, which most of us do. We don't wait very well. So in the middle of a season called Advent, let's face it, in the middle of life, some point in some... How do you wait well? [00:46:19] (28 seconds)
Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable. You might even say great and hidden things that you do not know. You know who you call on when you're in trouble? Someone that you believe can help you, don't you? You don't call on somebody you don't think can help you. [00:54:28] (25 seconds)
Call to me. It's an invite that says you can trust me because I'm telling you, I'm the one that not only established the world, I made it and I, I formed it. I'm the one that will take care of it. And so there's this invite or this invitation to trust God, to trust God in the middle of all the things that are going on, to trust God in the middle of this unknown future with the army sitting right over the hilltop. [00:55:36] (26 seconds)
Call on me, and I will answer you. Call on me, and I will answer you. Call on me, and in the middle of the worst of moments of your life, when you have no confidence in the future, I will answer you, and I will show you things that are hidden, that you don't have perspective on. Call on me, because the day is coming. [01:08:58] (21 seconds)
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