Psalm 66:8-12

Introduction:

1. Evil, pain, and suffering is the strongest argument atheists make against God.

2. Many former believers gave up on God because of tragedy in their lives.

3. In order to live upright lives in an upside-down world, hope will be the catalyst, so we consider three key reasons to live lives of hope in this world of sorrow.

Discussion:

I. Hope in God’s Presence

A. Though God allows us to suffer, He does not allow us to suffer alone.

B. He repeatedly promises His presence with His people in times of sorrow.

1. He is near the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18).

2. He helps and upholds His people in troublesome times (Isaiah 41:10).

3. He will never leave nor forsake His people (Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Samuel 12:22; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6).

II. Hope in God’s Providence

A. Not only is God present with His people, but He provides for their needs.

1. He turned Joseph’s brothers’ evil plans into good for everyone (Genesis 50:20).

2. He used a pagan king’s pagan deeds to save the Jews through Esther (Esther 4:14).

3. He turned the evils of corrupt rulers to the saving of all who will come (Ephesians 1:7).

B. Knowing He provides the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) gives us confidence.

III. Hope in God’s Perspective

A. Both reasons for hope hinge on seeing it all through God’s eyes.

B. God does not take pleasure in our sorrow, but what it produces pleases Him.

1. Regardless how it looks on the surface, He is working it to our good (Romans 8:28).

2. The way this works is through character formation as life’s sorrows refine us (Psalms 66:8-12; 119:65-72; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 12:8-11; James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

Conclusion:

1. Hope in the face of sorrow is essential to upright living in an upside down world.

2. We will falter without it, and how could we possibly bring someone else in without it?

Further Food for Thought

1. Has this world’s sorrow ever thwarted your service to God?

2. How do you conquer the temptation to give up brought on by such sorrows?

3. How can we better defend our hope when pressed on these issues? (1 Peter 3:15)