Committed to Hope in Suffering Lam 3:25-33, SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

Transcription

1 Committed to Hope in Suffering Lam 3:25-33, SS Lesson for 08/05/2007 Devotional Scripture: Ps 33:12-22 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS HOPE WHILE WAITING (LAM 3:25-27) Seeking God while waiting (25) Seeking for the gospel to be preached in the whole world (Matt 24:14) Seeking God while He is near (Isa 55:6-7) Seeking, but God has already found me (Isa 65:1) Seeking and finding, knocking and having the door opened (Matt 7:7-8) Seeking to dine with Jesus and to overcome the world (Rev 3:20-22) Waiting for the salvation of God (26) Waiting on God because I put my trust and hope in His word (Ps 130:5-6) Waiting on God because it is good to do so (Lam 3:25-26) Waiting on God because I am commanded to do so (Hos 12:6) Waiting on God because hope demands it (Rom 8:24-25) Waiting on God because His coming is near (James 5:7-8) Having faith means that I patiently wait on God in my hope, affliction and prayers (Rom 12:12) Bearing the yoke of youth while waiting (27) Definition of Yoke (Unger) The yoke of youth teaches one to use days with wisdom (Ps 90:12) The yoke of youth is using time to remember the Creator (Eccl 12:1) The yoke of youth should be replaced by taking the yoke of Jesus (Matt 11:29-30) The yoke of youth teaches one to replace burden with renewed hope (2 Cor 4:16) The yoke of youth teaches one to share the burdens of life with Jesus (Ps 55:22) Gain from Pain (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) HOPE WHILE SILENT (LAM 3:28-30) Silence during discipline (28) Discipline means that God considers me a child of His (Heb 12:7-11) Discipline that produces perseverance, character; and hope (Rom 5:3-5) Discipline that achieves an eternal glory (2 Cor 4:17) Discipline that keeps me from going too far astray (Ps 119:67) Discipline that keeps me from the folly of life (Prov 22:15) Discipline that is part of God's pruning so that I will be more fruitful (John 15:2) Discipline that aids in refining my faith and proves it is genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7) Silence with humility (29) Silence with humility knowing that God knows the heart and therefore is the only one who can justify (Luke 16:15) Silence with humility knowing that I am competent only through God (2 Cor 3:4-6) Silence with humility knowing that in my weakness God's strength makes me strong (2 Cor 12:9-10) Silence with humility knowing that God works in me according to His good purpose (Phil 2:13) Silence with humility knowing that all my strength comes from Jesus (Phil 4:13) Silence with humility knowing that only through Jesus is there righteousness for everyone (Rom 10:3-4) Silence with humility knowing that I can't boast of anything of myself (1 Cor 1:26-31) Silence with humility knowing that everything is a loss compared to knowing Jesus (Phil 3:8-9) Silence during endurance (30) Endurance that displays that one is living worthy of the kingdom of God (2 Thess 1:3-5) Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 1 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

2 Endurance of hardships (2 Tim 2:3) Endurance that is rewarded by reigning with Jesus (2 Tim 2:12) Endurance that proves one is a child of God (Heb 12:7-9) Endurance that is counted as being blessed (James 5:11) HOPE IN GOD'S MERCY (LAM 3:31-33) Mercy through reassurance (31) Reassurance that is based on Scripture (1 Cor 15:3-4) Reassurance through being united with Jesus (Rom 6:5) Reassurance through preaching (1 Cor 15:12-14) Reassurance through a new birth and living hope (1 Peter 1:3-4) Reassurance through baptism (1 Peter 3:17-21) Mercy because of compassion (32) Compassion because of God's covenant (2 Kings 13:23) Compassion because of God's unchanging loving heart (Hos 11:8-9) Compassion because of God's desire to protect His children (Luke 13:34) Compassion because God is gracious and righteous (Ps 116:5) Compassion because God desires to vindicate His people (Ps 135:14) Compassion because God is good to all (Ps 145:9) Mercy because of love (33) God's mercy keeps God from putting an end to the wicked (Neh 9:29-31) God's mercy sometimes causes Him to relent (Ps 106:45) God's mercy empowers perseverance (James 5:11) God's mercy makes Christians a people of God (1 Peter 2:10) God's love brings eternal life (John 3:16) God's love brings answered prayers (John 16:26-27) HOPE IN ANSWERED PRAYER (LAM 3:55-58) Answered prayer for help (55-56) Help anticipated because it is through prayer that I can approach God's throne of grace (Heb 4:15-16) Help anticipated because Jesus is my intermediary in prayer and holds the key and mechanism for my forgiveness and access to God (Heb 9:11-15) Help anticipated because Jesus is my prayer intercessor (Rom 8:34) Help anticipated because God is faithful (1 John 1:9) Help anticipated because God cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) Answered prayer for redemption (57-58) A redemption that is part of Jesus' rescue (Rom 7:24-25) A redemption that has the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (2 Cor 5:2-5) A redemption that has a promise of a transformation into glory (Phil 3:20-21) A redemption that has as a reward a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) A redemption because I am God's possession (Eph 1:14) A redemption by a God that has unfailing love (Ps 130:7) Low Cotton (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR The goodness of God is worth waiting for (Lam. 3:25-26) The goodness of God's discipline (Lam. 3:27-30) The goodness of God's unfailing love (Lam. 3:31-33) The goodness of God's deliverance (Lam. 3:55-58) Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 2 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The concept of the outline of the lesson came from review of the lesson Scriptures. The lesson reviews Hope in Suffering. The study's aim is to learn how God provides hope to all who turn to Him in adversity. The study's application is to understand and experience that when we keep our hope in God during our times of trouble, God show us a way out. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Jeremiah is traditionally thought to be the author of the book of Lamentations. The theme of the book is the desolation that accompanies the destruction of Jerusalem. It has now been some 40 years since Jeremiah was called to prophesy. In one sense Jeremiah probably considers himself a failure. His nation is gone, and the majority in Judah did not heed his message. In God s sight, however, Jeremiah is a faithful prophet who preaches even when he does not wish to do so (Jeremiah 20:9). Future generations regard him highly. His is one of the names given to Jesus when he asked his disciples how others identified him (Matthew 16:13, 14). The first four chapters of Lamentations are alphabetic acrostics: the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet are used consecutively to begin the verses. Here in chapter three there are three verses for each letter. In two places the letters are transposed, and no one knows why. Some think that this method of writing may increase the ability to remember or demonstrate the carefulness of the writer. Nebuchadnezzar became the king of Babylon when his father died in the summer of 605 B.C. The Babylonians had just defeated the Egyptians, and to demonstrate that there was a new power in the region, Nebuchadnezzar took captives from Jerusalem. They included the prophet Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar allowed Jehoiakim to remain on the throne of David. Nebuchadnezzar returned in the summer of 597 B.C. to put down a rebellion initiated by Jehoiakim. But Nebuchadnezzar found that Jehoiakim s son, Jehoiachin, had been reigning for three months. Nebuchadnezzar therefore took Jehoiachin and 10,000 others captive. He then placed Zedekiah (Jehoiakim s brother) on the throne (2 Kings 24:14 17). The prophet Ezekiel was among the captives taken to Babylon then. Zedekiah, Judah s last king, was therefore a puppet king under Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah was not a good puppet, however. At the beginning of his reign he sponsored a gathering of messengers from other nations. They came to Jerusalem to plan rebellion (Jeremiah 27:1 3). On that occasion Jeremiah was instructed by the Lord to put a yoke on his neck and to announce to the delegates that Nebuchadnezzar was God s servant, and that all the lands were given by God into Nebuchadnezzar s hand (27:4 6). To prophesy this submission did not seem very patriotic, but it was in the best interests of the nations involved. Would Jerusalem obey? The point of today s lesson is critical for those who have suffered, who are suffering, and who will someday suffer meaning everyone! God is faithful. He is with us in pain, just as He is with us in health. Jesus was in all ways like us, subject to temptation, suffering, pain, loss, and humiliation. Our God knows what suffering is like, and today s lesson is one way he will help you gain a proper perspective on it. From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator "Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw mud, one saw stars." There is always need for hope people cannot go on with life if there is no hope. Writing in Preaching Today under the title "Keep Hope Alive," Lewis Smedes said, "A couple of weeks ago, as I was driving away from the Los Angeles airport, a huge, brilliantly illuminated billboard arrested my attention. It carried one simple message in three simple words: 'Keep Hope Alive.' I must tell you it was the most compelling billboard I've ever seen, because keeping hope alive is the number-one priority of the city of Los Angeles today. We're in trouble. We're broken. We're hurting. "If hope dies, the city will die with it. But we all need to keep hope alive. Hope is to our spirits what oxygen is to our lungs. Your spirit dies when hope dies. They may not bury you for a while, but without hope you're dead." It has often been shown that a person can somehow endure the Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 3 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

4 greatest of disasters and disappointments as long as there is hope for something in the future. But when hope evaporates, something in the spirit of a person dies. We often ask ourselves why God does not do something quickly to change our hard circumstances. Why does He wait so long? Our lesson this week shows us that we have to continue to hope in our God, for in the end He will act on our behalf. He will not give up on us if we are willing to cooperate with Him and His plans for us. Often God may seem to work slowly, but He is always on time for His children. We must keep our hope in our faithful God. How often have we wondered why God is not acting any faster than He is in our particular situation? We pray so hard, but God does not seem to be listening, and our prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears. But then all of a sudden God breaks through, and we sense His presence and His answers. God gives us new hope. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Hope While Waiting (Lam 3:25-27) 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. Seeking God while waiting (25) Seeking for the gospel to be preached in the whole world (Matt 24:14) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Seeking God while He is near (Isa 55:6-7) 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Seeking, but God has already found me (Isa 65:1) 1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.' Seeking and finding, knocking and having the door opened (Matt 7:7-8) 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Seeking to dine with Jesus and to overcome the world (Rev 3:20-22) 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Waiting for the salvation of God (26) Waiting on God because I put my trust and hope in His word (Ps 130:5-6) 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 4 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

5 Waiting on God because it is good to do so (Lam 3:25-26) 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Waiting on God because I am commanded to do so (Hos 12:6) 6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. Waiting on God because hope demands it (Rom 8:24-25) 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Waiting on God because His coming is near (James 5:7-8) 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Having faith means that I patiently wait on God in my hope, affliction and prayers (Rom 12:12) 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Bearing the yoke of youth while waiting (27) Definition of Yoke (Unger) A yoke is defined as a bar or frame of wood by which two draft animals, especially oxen, are joined at the necks or heads for working together, for drawing a load or pulling a plow. It usually was used for more than one animal to share the load. Each animal was to be "in synch" with the others so that the load would be evenly divided. The yoke of youth teaches one to use days with wisdom (Ps 90:12) 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. The yoke of youth is using time to remember the Creator (Eccl 12:1) 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" The yoke of youth should be replaced by taking the yoke of Jesus (Matt 11:29-30) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The yoke of youth teaches one to replace burden with renewed hope (2 Cor 4:16) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. The yoke of youth teaches one to share the burdens of life with Jesus (Ps 55:22) 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Gain from Pain (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) Some parents try to bring up their children in a risk-free world. They try to protect them from all emotional pain or hardship. Yet going through emotional pain can have a positive result. The same is true physically. Exposure to certain less-severe viruses can build immunity against those that are even worse. The discipline of children is an area in which some parents have abandoned the responsibility of administering healthy doses of pain or hardship. The TV show Nanny 911 makes this all too clear: children Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 5 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

6 run riot as parents attempt to be their buddies rather than their, well, parents. Scripture reminds us that tough discipline, though not pleasant at the moment, has ultimate value (Hebrews 12:11). In our spiritual lives, times of pain and trial may have a good ultimate result if we will allow God to use them for that purpose. Paul reminds us that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). None of us would say, Bring on the pain, let the bad times roll. Yet we do know that God can bring good out of our patient endurance in times of hardship and pain. The key is to allow him to do so. Hope While Silent (Lam 3:28-30) 28 Let him sit alone and keep silent, because God has laid it on him; 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust-- there may yet be hope. 30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, and be full of reproach. Silence during discipline (28) Discipline means that God considers me a child of His (Heb 12:7-11) 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Discipline that produces perseverance, character; and hope (Rom 5:3-5) 3 but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Discipline that achieves an eternal glory (2 Cor 4:17) 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Discipline that keeps me from going too far astray (Ps 119:67) 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Discipline that keeps me from the folly of life (Prov 22:15) 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. Discipline that is part of God's pruning so that I will be more fruitful (John 15:2) 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Discipline that aids in refining my faith and proves it is genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7) 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 6 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

7 Silence with humility (29) Silence with humility knowing that God knows the heart and therefore is the only one who can justify (Luke 16:15) He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight. Silence with humility knowing that I am competent only through God (2 Cor 3:4-6) 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Silence with humility knowing that in my weakness God's strength makes me strong (2 Cor 12:9-10) 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Silence with humility knowing that God works in me according to His good purpose (Phil 2:13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Silence with humility knowing that all my strength comes from Jesus (Phil 4:13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Silence with humility knowing that only through Jesus is there righteousness for everyone (Rom 10:3-4) 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Silence with humility knowing that I can't boast of anything of myself (1 Cor 1:26-31) 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Silence with humility knowing that everything is a loss compared to knowing Jesus (Phil 3:8-9) 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Silence during endurance (30) Endurance that displays that one is living worthy of the kingdom of God (2 Thess 1:3-5) 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 7 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

8 Endurance of hardships (2 Tim 2:3) 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Endurance that is rewarded by reigning with Jesus (2 Tim 2:12) 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Endurance that proves one is a child of God (Heb 12:7-9) 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Endurance that is counted as being blessed (James 5:11) 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Hope in God's Mercy (Lam 3:31-33) 31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Mercy through reassurance (31) Reassurance that is based on Scripture (1 Cor 15:3-4) 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures Reassurance through being united with Jesus (Rom 6:5) 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Reassurance through preaching (1 Cor 15:12-14) 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Reassurance through a new birth and living hope (1 Peter 1:3-4) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you Reassurance through baptism (1 Peter 3:17-21) 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 8 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

9 Mercy because of compassion (32) Compassion because of God's covenant (2 Kings 13:23) 23 But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence. Compassion because of God's unchanging loving heart (Hos 11:8-9) 8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. Compassion because of God's desire to protect His children (Luke 13:34) 34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Compassion because God is gracious and righteous (Ps 116:5) 5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Compassion because God desires to vindicate His people (Ps 135:14) 14 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. Compassion because God is good to all (Ps 145:9) 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Mercy because of love (33) God's mercy keeps God from putting an end to the wicked (Neh 9:29-31) 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. God's mercy sometimes causes Him to relent (Ps 106:45) 45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. God's mercy empowers perseverance (James 5:11) 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. God's mercy makes Christians a people of God (1 Peter 2:10) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. God's love brings eternal life (John 3:16) 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 9 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

10 God's love brings answered prayers (John 16:26-27) 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. Hope in Answered Prayer (Lam 3:55-58) 55 I called on Your name, O LORD, from the lowest pit. 56 You have heard my voice: "Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help." 57 You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, "Do not fear!" 58 O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; you have redeemed my life. Answered prayer for help (55-56) Help anticipated because it is through prayer that I can approach God's throne of grace (Heb 4:15-16) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Help anticipated because Jesus is my intermediary in prayer and holds the key and mechanism for my forgiveness and access to God (Heb 9:11-15) 11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Help anticipated because Jesus is my prayer intercessor (Rom 8:34) 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Help anticipated because God is faithful (1 John 1:9) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Help anticipated because God cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Answered prayer for redemption (57-58) A redemption that is part of Jesus' rescue (Rom 7:24-25) 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 10 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

11 A redemption that has the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (2 Cor 5:2-5) 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. A redemption that has a promise of a transformation into glory (Phil 3:20-21) 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. A redemption that has as a reward a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. A redemption because I am God's possession (Eph 1:14) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory. A redemption by a God that has unfailing love (Ps 130:7) 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Low Cotton (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) Being reared in an area where cotton was grown, I became familiar with the idea of someone being in low cotton. This spoke of the person who had to pick cotton in a field where the stalks were not very high, thus he or she had to stoop way over to pick the cotton. The reason for the low cotton was that the field was not producing well. But the cotton would grow higher in a good growing season, therefore the picker did not have to stoop so low. Thus to be in high cotton meant that times were good, but to be in low cotton meant times were tough. We all go through tough times times when it seems we are about as low as we can get. God s people are not exempt. Remember Daniel: he was in pretty low cotton when he was in the lion s den. Joseph was not much better off when he was cast into a pit by his brothers then sold into slavery. But no matter how low we may go, the good news is we can never go so low that God cannot hear us or see us. We know we have victory through Jesus in the low times. The words of that great Easter hymn help us to recall this: Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord. Up from the grave he arose! Jesus knows what it means to be in low cotton, and he knows how to lift us out of that state. Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary One preacher testifies that he often battled depression on Monday morning if things had not gone as desired on Sunday. The cure was simple: go to a local discount store! Merely being with people, many of whom he knew, would compel him to smile. Soon the depression would vanish. We are made for relationships! To attempt to handle the trials of life alone is difficult for most people. One of the responsibilities of Christians is to help bear the burdens of others (Galatians 6:2). Even the apostle Paul expressed concern when he had to face his trials alone. When others deserted him, it was not pleasant (2 Timothy 4:16). Some people will resist offers of help, but fellowship is important. If a person can conquer Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 11 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

12 pride and actually ask for assistance, then everyone involved benefits. After all, it is not good for us to dwell alone! Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Most of us have heard some variation of the line "Lord, make me patient, and please do it right away!" It is not easy to wait, and this is particularly true when we are suffering painful circumstances. Even a paragon of godliness like Job found he could hardly contain himself in his adversity. He was quiet at first, but he then began to argue with God (cf. Job 2:9-10, 13; 3:1). The example of Job can help us understand the idea of quiet waiting spoken of in our text. We must remember that despite Job's struggles with God's justice, the book of James reminds us of the "patience of Job" (5:11). Job's patience was linked to endurance and perseverance. He held on to his faith, and in the end God brought comfort and relief. The situation that Jeremiah was addressing in the Lam 3:26 was, of course, a bit different from Job's. The people of Judah were suffering in exile because of their sin. They deserved to be there. But God still held out the prospect of deliverance. He understood that there is no greater enemy of godliness than hopelessness, which bespeaks a lack of faith in Him. To "quietly wait" does not mean we should never say a word about our questions or remain silent about our emotional or physical pain. God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him, and our fellow believers can help us carry our load. The quietness spoken of here refers instead to a steadfast, trusting endurance. Included in this is a sense of expectation that God will one day act to bring comfort. We are looking to Him rather than to our own strength to pull us through. We are not restlessly casting about for a premature way out of the situation God has put us in. A godly man realizes that God sometimes puts us through difficult times in order to refine our character. As Paul declared, "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Rom. 5:3-4; cf. Heb. 12:11). Hard times drive us to God and help us know Him better (cf. Ps. 107). If we never experienced difficulties and trials, we would think we were self sufficient and not in need of God. We would lose sight of all we have to be thankful for. In the case of Judah, their time of suffering in exile would make their appreciation of God's mercy much keener when He delivered them. To wait quietly here means in part that Judah should wait "without murmuring (complaining)" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentaries on the Old Testament, Eerdmans). A natural reaction to pain and suffering is to whine and protest. The people of Judah really had no one but themselves to blame, but distress often short-circuits reasonableness. Because all of us wrestle with the world, our own sinful flesh, and the devil on a daily basis, the message of our text is always relevant. Paul spoke of the longing every believer has to experience the redemption of his body and the final victory over sin. We cannot see this yet, but we have hope; so "we with patience wait for it" (Rom. 8:25; Rom.8:19-24). The future is bright for those who show patience. As David declared, "Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (Ps. 37:9). God will deliver us from every evil. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. Times of trouble should never rob us of hope (Lam. 3:25-26) 2. A life untested by trials will be of little use to the Lord (vs ) 3. There is much we can learn from enduring hardships that we can learn in no other way (vs ) 4. Hope will remain strong as long as our faith does (vs. 31) 5. Any afflictions God brings are always tempered by His compassion and are always intended for our good (vs ) 6. We should never cease to thank God for answers to our prayers (vs ) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator It has been said that a human being can live many weeks without food, a few days without water, but not a moment without hope. No doubt that is true. Stories are told of prisoners of war in foreign countries who did whatever their captor told them, always hopeful of release. Yet if it finally sunk in that there was no hope, many of these prisoners died on their own. As Christians, our hope is in God. "Hope" as used in the Bible does not mean what we often Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 12 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007

13 think of when we hear the word "hope." Will it rain today? I hope not. No, "hope" as used in the Bible speaks of a certainty. That is why Paul spoke of the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) of Christ's return. The goodness of God is worth waiting for (Lam. 3:25-26) God is inherently good. Even during the most difficult times of suffering, the believer can say that God is good. He is good all the time, and His goodness is not something He keeps to Himself. He is generous with His goodness. He wants to bless His children. The problem is that we are often impatient in waiting for His goodness. Sometimes it is unbelievably hard to wait for His blessings. But take heart. They will come. Jeremiah made it clear that God is good to those who wait on Him. That may sound like a pious platitude while we go through suffering, but this is what God's Word says. The goodness of God's discipline (Lam. 3:27-30) The phrase "yoke in his youth" speaks of discipline. Children need discipline. This is something we all know. Even when we were children, we knew that there were rules and that we would face discipline if we broke those rules. It certainly comes as no surprise that since God is our heavenly Father, He will discipline His children when we need it. As the writer of Hebrews put it, this is one way we know we are His children (12:8). No matter how painful God's chastisement may be, it is always done in love. The goodness of God's unfailing love (Lam. 3:31-33) Jeremiah made it clear that in spite of all the difficulties life deals us, we can always count on God. He is very compassionate "according to the multitude of his mercies." The word "mercies" is an often used word, especially in the book of Psalms. It can also be translated "love," and a very good translation of it is "unfailing love." God's mercy is based on His unfailing love. We live in a flawed world. Things do not always work as they should. We expect that when we get in our car and turn the key, the car will start. But that is not always the case. Sometimes things fail. One thing we can always count on, though, is God's unfailing love. The goodness of God's deliverance (Lam. 3:55-58) Jeremiah had endured terrible suffering for his prophecies about the doom of Judah. He had been put in a "dungeon," or cistern, and left to die, although he was later rescued. Jeremiah attributed that rescue to God, just as he believed God would always deliver him in the future. Does God always rescue us from trouble? No, but He is always there, no matter what. Paul talked about the difficulties he had faced (II Cor. 11:23-27), but he knew that God would always give him His grace (12:9). That is what we can count on. That is what gives us hope. Committed to Hope in Suffering Page 13 of 13 SS Lesson for 08/05/2007