A Study of Advent Hope in Psalm 102
Advent Hope: Confidence in Christ’s Appearing
Neil Schindler
November 27, 2022
Psalm 102
Our struggle: Sustaining hope in an afflicted world (v1-11)
What is biblical hope, and why is it hard to maintain?
Romans 8:24-25
The psalmist’s struggle for hope: Broken strength + God’s anger
God’s past promises as foundations for hope (v12-17)
1) The promise of God’s forever, faithful reign
2) The promise of God’s future compassionate action
3) The promise of God’s appointed time having now come
4) The promise of God’s name and glory spreading worldwide
Jesus’ Advent accomplishments as reasons for ongoing hope (v18-28)
1) Jesus’ glorious appearing has been recorded faithfully for us
2) Jesus’ work has indeed freed and created a people for God
3) Jesus’ praises are indeed spreading around the world
4) Jesus’ unchanging nature means an unchanging redemption hope
WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
1) Is there a word or phrase or idea from Psalm 102 which God impressed on your heart as significant and necessary to apply in your life?
2) Are you prone to use the word “hope” as a stand-in for “wishing for something”? How so?
3) Discuss some of the many ways you see people in our day trying to deny the reality of sin and trying to reverse the curse of decay and death by their efforts. In comparison, how do you think the author of Psalm 102 would classify their “hope” in these efforts?
4) Read the verses around Paul’s statement about creation being “subjected to futility” (Romans 8:18-21) —is there any mention of hope there? How might we as Christians speak about our hope in God’s ultimate purposes, even while feeling broken and “withered” (Ps. 102:4, 11) like the psalmist?
5) Why do you think it is so common around Advent/Christmas for people to feel a lack of hope? How might reminding each other about the nature of Jesus’ “Advents” (understanding where we live in between Jesus’ first and second coming) help to guard against this tendency as believers?
6) Read Hebrews 10:35-39. How do these verses pertain to our hope in Jesus’ return, and what it means about our salvation? (Consider especially how the author of Hebrews uses Habakkuk 2:3-4 concerning God’s promise to come and make things right.)
7) Re-read Psalm 102:25-28. Consider some of the many ways your life has changed in the past year (perhaps share these changes with others or write them down in a list). Now, compare them to God: Is there any way in which he has changed, even among all these changes? Take some time to thank God for his unchanging nature and promises and how it sustains your hope (using Psalm 102:25-28 as a launching point).