Eugene Peterson (Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life) points out that what a lot of people call hope is in reality something different. It’s wishing, not hoping: and wishing and hoping are not the same thing.
"Wishing," Peterson says, "is something all of us do. It projects what we want or think we need into the future. Just because we wish for something good or holy we think it qualifies as hope. It does not. Wishing extends our egos into the future; hope grows out of our faith. Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing."
Peterson goes on to say that we can picture wishing as though it were a line coming out from us with an arrow on the end, pointing into the future, pointing toward that thing we most want to possess. Hope is just the opposite. It’s a line that comes from God out of the future, with its arrow pointing toward us.
"Hope," he continues, "means being surprised, because we don’t know what is best for us or how our lives are going to be completed. To cultivate hope is to suppress wishing -- to refuse to fantasize about what we want, but live in anticipation of what God is going to do next."
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. I like new beginnings. They afford us an opportunity to analyze our past and make course corrections for the future. I especially like the season of Advent (Latin adventus, coming), because it brings to focus the coming of Jesus Christ: as a babe to Bethlehem (1st) and as a king coming for his people (2nd).
B. Advent is a time to draw near to God—a time to restore and be restored. With that in mind, we begin a series on restoration that represents each Advent Candle. We begin with the restoration of hope. OYBT Psalm 80.
II. BACKGROUND
A. Scholars believe the references to Israel, Joseph, Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh suggest the lament (grief-stricken wailing) is from the northern kingdom (10 of 12 tribes). They have been ravaged by a foreign power, and seek God’s restorative power.
B. A quick read might lead us to believe it is a psalm of despair, in which the people cry out to God as though there is no hope for them. Fortunately, a more careful reading reveals a fascinating plea for restoration based in hope, not wishful fantasy.
C. The structure of the psalm defines its movements: (1-3) Invocation and petition; (4-7) Lamentation; (8-11) Recitation of God’s saving acts; (12-16) Description of the vine’s current condition; and (17-19) Petitions and vow.
D. The recurring refrain of the psalm defines its tone: Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Listen to the surety of that refrain! (repeat 2X)
[Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.]
III. ISRAEL COMES BEFORE GOD
A. Invocation and Petition (1-3)
1. Hear us, O Shepherd | who leads us | who sits enthroned. They call upon God, acknowledging him as Almighty, Protector, and Leader.
2. Shine forth before us | awaken your might | come and save us. They long for a glimpse of God; a sign of his presence; the security that he alone provides.
Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
B. Lamentation (4-7)
1. Israel laments God’s severe punishment. Their sins demand punishment, yet they cannot bear their feelings of separation from God.
2. How long will you be angry? | you’ve fed us with tears | made us contentious to others | our enemies mock us
Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
C. Recitation of God’s Saving Acts (8-11)
1. The Exodus from Egypt was a touchstone for Israel, i.e. the standard by which everything is judged. Here they remember God’s saving acts in their history:
a. Saved from their bondage in Egypt
b. Saved from the powers of nations far stronger than they were
c. Saved from homelessness as God “planted them in the Promised Land.”
d. Saved from poverty; God allowed them to flourish in the new land
2. Reading these verses brings new meaning to the commandments of Deut. 6:4-11, to teach your children the ways of God and his goodness throughout the generations.
D. Description of Israel’s Current Condition (12-16)
1. Why have you broken down its walls is a rhetorical question. Israel is aware of its sin. There is no confession; perhaps it is so obvious it need not be repeated?
2. Return to us suggests the desperation of the people, who feel utter separation from God. They refer to themselves as a vine, the root planted by God’s right hand | the son he raised up for himself.
3. The vine is cut down | burned with fire | your people perish. Notice they do not perish at the hands of their enemies, but at God’s rebuke! Fascinating!
E. Petitions and Vow (17-19)
1. Let your hand rest upon us, whom you have raised up for yourself.
2. Revive us, and we will call on your name
Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
[Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.]
IV. CONCLUSION: ISRAEL’S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
A. Israel’s petition and vow to God (17-19) is not based on wishful fantasy. It is based on hope that comes from their knowledge of God. They have been near to him and know what he has done in their midst.
B. At this writing, they are far from him, feeling the anxiety of their circumstances. Yet they approach God in hope, living in anticipation of what he is going to do next. The central theme of Psalm 80 is the restoration of hope.
V. THE RESTORATION OF HOPE: A MODEL FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS
A. Advent season is a time to grow near to God—a time to restore and be restored.
1. It is time to restore the relationship that is damaged. To restore communication where lines have been broken. To restore friendship and love where disdain has prospered.
2. It is time to grow in your spiritual life, as we await the coming of Jesus. To seek God’s desire for you: not for sometime in the future, but for right now. To communicate with your Heavenly Father through regular prayer and quiet time. To engage the mission or ministry God selected for you in his grace
B. The future is bright. We have hope beyond the wildest of wishes. Don’t spend your time wishing for a life better than what you have. Invest your hope in what God has planned has planned for you.
[Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.]
