Opening Question
What is the greatest struggle you’ve endured?

Introduction
The Psalms offer encouragement to God’s people as they journey through the struggle with sin and seek victory. One of the ways god encourages us is by painting pictures of a glorious future, providing hope of a world restored. This is a major theme of the Psalms, as well as the Hebrew Prophets and Revelation, too! 

Psalm 46
The lesson this week asks us to meditate on this Psalm. Read Psalm 46, and for each verse or section, consider what experiences here and now are addressed by the lines. 

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. 

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

 ² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; ³ Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

 ⁵ God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

 ⁶ The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.

 ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

 ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

 ⁹ He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

 ¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

How do you think this song would be an encouragement to faithful followers of God going through times of difficulty? What hope does it offer for the future?

Psalm 26, Isaiah 65 and Revelation 21-22 
The hopes and dreams of Israel were contained in a remade and restored land where right-living and peace prevailed. This could not exist while Israel was in captivity in Babylon. But Daniel was shown that Israel would return (fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah) and dwell safely in the land. 

Read Psalm 126. what is the experience of God’s people when He restores them from their time in bondage and “captivity”? 

Does this song provide you with hope that you can be freed from captivity to sin and temptation?  

Isaiah 65 is a quintessential passage offering Israel hope for a new world. The prophetic messages nearly always have a fourfold structure of which Isaiah 65 shows the last part: 1) you’re sinning, 2) repent, 3) if you do not repent, there will be judgment, and 4) God will restore with a faithful remnant of His people. Read Isaiah 65:17-25. There can be no question this would have provided hope for God’s people living in a land desolated by war, famine, plague, and wild predatory beasts. 

While often compared, Revelation 21-22 paint a slightly different picture than Isaiah 65 of the New Heavens and New Earth. Read these two chapters, and see if you can spot the differences and similarities. 

What are the differences between God’s promise to Israel in Isaiah 65 and John’s vision of the New Heavens/Earth? Which would you prefer?

Closing Comments
The Psalms, Prophets, and Revelation are all in unison looking forward to the day in which God restores the fortunes and future of His faithful people.