Hope for the Broken
July 19, 1998
Lamentations 3

Introduction

A. Background

1. July 19, 586 BC Jerusalem fell & the city was burned on August 15.
2. The very thing Jeremiah had warned the people would happen, did occur
3. Jeremiah is a witness to the carnage and weeps over the loss and writes what is in effect a funeral dirge. It is read every year in the synagogues to commemorate this event.

B. Two references to memory

1. "I have forgotten prosperity" (lit. good)

• i.e. he is in despair and cannot remember when things were good
• the present pain has created a tunnel vision

2. "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope"

a. in the midst of total despair and devastation: hope
b. Pilgrim and Doubting Castle
c. Ask, Who, What, Where, When, Why and How?

3. Note the change in "voice" as Jeremiah writes this book: Jeremiah, God and Jerusalem

C. Why are we surprised when a believer suffers?

I. When the Believer is Besieged

A. We are in a war

1. The cultural war: who is going to control the high ground of the morality of America?
2. The educational war: who is going to control the high ground that directs what our children are taught in school?
3. The spiritual war: who is going to control the high ground of your life which determines your eternal destiny?
4. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation..." but He also promises that He has overcome the world and God tells us He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can bare.

B. We forget we are at war

1. Lulled into apathy
2. Not dressed with the armor
3. Unaware of Satan's devises: though Paul tells us of them

C. Why are believers wounded in this life?

1. God's ultimate design is not always seen but is there:
e.g. Joseph, "You meant it for evil but God meant it for good."
2. Sometimes it is for chastening: e.g. Israel
3. Sometimes it is redemptive

a. as tilling turns over the soil for planting
b. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statues." Ps. 119:17
c. It becomes a show case of the character of God
d. Redemption will always have a price/pain

1 Peter 2:18-25; 1 Peter 4:12-19
e.g. Jeremiah's suffering was overwhelming... but redemptive to millions of people over thousands of years

II. The Role of Hope

A. Without hope people die

1. Role of hope in getting well
2. Without a vision the people perish (Pro. 29:18)

B. With hope people do extra ordinary deeds

1. Norwegian wharf rats
2. WWII merchant mariners

III. Hope for the Broken

A. Notice where Jeremiah's hope is (22-24)

1. The LORD'S mercies
2. His compassions
3. His faithfulness
4. His very nature

Ps. 42: 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and
Ps. 42: 11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Ps. 43: 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Ps. 71: 5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
Rom. 5: 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

B. Notice how Jeremiah grasps hope

1. This I will recall to mind (21)

a. The role of what we focus upon
b. Phil. 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. Wait and seek for Him (25)

a. Seek for Him (25)
b. Waiting: difficult (25-26)

1) Hope and wait
2) Hope and wait quietly:

3. Humility (30)

a. Background: Jer. is watching the survivors being taken off into captivity so he says: READ 27-41
b. Submission to the hand of God

4. Repentance (40)

a. Search out and examine your ways
b. Cleansing is soooo important

the role of the tongue to help or discourage

5. Worship (41)

a. lifting up our hearts: i.e. as an offering
b. lifting up our hands: i.e. as relationship/surrender