Standing in Hope

Jul 12, 2026 • John Wolfe

Pastor John Wolfe preaches from Daniel 9, where Daniel finds hope not by denying the pain of exile or manufacturing optimism, but by remembering God’s promises in Scripture. Reading Jeremiah’s promise of seventy years, Daniel learns that God remains sovereign, that judgment is not abandonment, and that biblical hope is confidence in God’s goodness because of his past faithfulness. This hope enables Daniel to pray with open, honest confession, trusting the covenant-keeping God for mercy rather than pleading his own righteousness. When Gabriel answers Daniel’s prayer, God gives a larger promise: not only release from Babylon, but the final defeat of sin and everlasting righteousness through Jesus Christ. The sermon calls believers to bring their circumstances honestly before a God who loves them, hold fast to his goodness, and find lasting comfort not in speculation but in the gospel.

00:00 Scripture Reading – Daniel 9:1–5, 17–19, 22–22

03:25 Prayer

04:40 Introduction: Standing in Hope

09:21 Daniel’s Hope Begins in Scripture

11:26 Biblical Hope Defined

13:08 Judgment Is Not the End of the Story

16:30 Hope Enables Us to Pray Openly and Honestly

19:25 Daniel’s Confession and God’s Character

22:08 Honest Confession Before a Good God

23:00 Corporate Confession and Spiritual Weakness

28:03 Pleading God’s Mercy, Not Our Righteousness

30:48 Bringing Our Circumstances to the Lord