Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 1:5-24; 45
Biblical Hope: a confident expectation for the future anchored in the character of God, promises of God, and the power of God
Big Idea: In My Brokenness I Find Hope In God’s Goodness And Faithfulness
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”
-Isaiah 61:1-3
“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
-Luke 4:21
My Sources Of Hope When I’m Brokenhearted:
1) God’s Goodness
God’s Goodness In My Brokenness: Because God Is Good (Luke 1:12-19):
1) I have no need to fear (v. 13)
2) I’m confident God hears my prayers (v. 13)
3) I can have joy (v. 14)
4) I trust God’s ways are higher than mine (v. 15-17)
5) I know that God is working out His plan (v. 15-17)
6) I have hope because God always fulfills His promises (v. 16-17)
2) God’s Faithfulness (v. 24-25; 45)
Lament: a prayer in pain that leads to hope through God as I trust in God
“Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gal! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 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. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
-Lamentations 3:19-24
How To Hope Amidst The Heartbreak (Lamentations 3:19-24):
1) Keep turning to God in prayer (v. 19-20)
2) Remember God’s character (v. 21-24)
3) Trust in God’s faithfulness (v. 23-24)
A Personal Lament:
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you withhold the blessing of a child from us? How long will we cry to you - how many more days, months, or years will pass with our arms remaining empty? How much longer will we struggle to rejoice with those who rejoice while we sit weeping? But I have trusted in your steadfast love. My heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me! Thank you, Father!”
My Lament:
* My Honest Prayer To God:
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* My Confidence In God’s Character:
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* My Commitment To Trust God:
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