When I began this blog, my objective was to discipline myself to write everyday. Well, that, obviously hasn't happened! Sorry!! But I'm back and today I want to lift up these verses about "hope." And, follow the link and read the entire Psalm because the context will help you better understand what David is saying...plus...it's a beautiful Psalm and one we really need in today's world. Remember, you can change versions if you prefer version other than the NLT.
Psalm 33: 20-22
We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone. (italics mine)
David uses imagery that he can relate to, but that very imagery is what emboldens us. David is a king...he knows all about sitting on a throne. He looks down on his kingdom, he knows the power that he holds over people, he knows he can destroy but he can also build up. As "king" he's also a warrior, a fighter...that comes with the territory of being a king. It's also part of being human. We may not war and fight against people...but we do know seasons and times of being at "war" against drugs and poverty to name a few. We "fight" against cancer and other diseases, etc.
David is also a musician! He plays the harp and lyre (there is a difference!), he sings! Before David even begins with his war imagery, he begins this Psalm with praise! He blesses us by reminding us of God's creating power! He tell us again and again of how God is God and we are not...not even David, as powerful as he is, is God Almighty!
David, as king, relies on his army and shield to protect him. He trusts his faithful warhorse to bring him victory. As a human being, he understands that he needs these things to do the job God has entrusted him with. David knows he has to step up and do his part in these efforts. But this reliance on his army, shield, and warhorse will only go so far. They are all either mortal, animal or metal. They simply are not God.
The true and ultimate source of "hope" is not human strength and shield.
It comes from putting our hope in the Lord and in Him alone.
When we do that, the rest will follow. In God's own way and in God's on timing...and we will never always understand it...but we are never called to understand God...no...we are called to trust God and to place our hope...no matter how difficult that can be at times...in God and God alone.
The world will try and tell us differently. People will try to implore us to put our hope in our "shields" whatever our "shields" may look like. Shields first and, maybe, God second. But that's the wrong order!
God first, shields later. God's not going anywhere and He's not changing. Our shields will change or leave. But not God.
My hope is in God and He does not let me down!
Amen and Amen!
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