Place Your Hope in God

Psalm 33:17-22 (ESV)

17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Big Idea: The children of God can depend on God in every place of their lives.

Introduction: Psalm 33 is classified as a hymn of praise. It is a joyful and exuberant psalm that celebrates God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty. The text does not mention the specific historical context of Psalm 33. However, it is generally believed to have been written during the time of King David, by King David, who reigned over Israel around 1000 BC. The psalm likely reflects David’s personal experiences and understanding of God's character and faithfulness. It can be seen as a general expression of praise and trust in God, applicable to various situations and circumstances.

The timeless wisdom of Psalm 33:17-22 is a passage that calls us to place our hope in the Lord. As we navigate the complexities of life, it's easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Yet, this psalm reminds us that our ultimate source of strength, guidance, and joy lies in our Heavenly Father's unwavering love and faithfulness.

TRANSITION: So, how do we place our hope in God? Our text today offers a few actions we must take. The first of which is to depend on God’s strength.

Depend on God’s Strength (v.17)

“17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

David explains that to depend upon the strength of anyone or anything but God is to do the unwise. David uses the horse as an example. A war horse is a term used to describe a horse that is specifically trained and used for warfare or battle purposes. These horses are typically strong, agile, and trained to be comfortable in chaotic and dangerous environments. In ancient times, war horses were commonly used by cavalry units and soldiers to provide mobility, speed, and power on the battlefield. They were trained to charge into enemy lines, carry armored riders, and engage in combat. War horses played a crucial role in military operations throughout history. David knew of the warhorse's strength, capacity, and power, but he concluded that the power and strength of the horse were worthless. “The war horse does not offer dependable strength in crisis or bring victory.”[1] David is testifying that God’s strength is the only strength man should place his hope. David states that human strength and might alone are inadequate in the face of life's challenges. Depend on the strength of God!

Psalm 20:7-8 says, “7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.”[2]

Psalm 27:1 says, “1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”[3]

Depend on the strength of God! David is clear. Human efforts and worldly powers are insufficient to rescue us from life's challenges. Instead, we must place our hope in God's infinite strength. When we face trials, we can rely on His unwavering power to uphold and sustain us. You and I need His strength to get us through.

ILLUSTRATION: A ship was plowing through a stormy sea when part of the mast broke off. The captain ordered a boy to climb up and repair the damage. The boy started up, but he slid back down and ran into his cabin for a moment. He then came back, climbed back to the top of the ship and made the necessary repairs. When he was on the deck again, the captain said to him, “Why did you run down into your cabin for a minute before you climbed aloft?” “Why, sir,” he said, “I went down to offer a word of prayer and to place this New Testament in my pocket. My mother told me before I left home that if I would pray and carry the Word of God with me, I would be well protected from any storm.[4]

TRANSITION: So it is with you and me, we are strengthened by God through prayer and His Word.

Life has a way of reminding us of our limitations. We encounter struggles and uncertainties; our strength can only take us so far. It's essential to recognize that we need God's strength to sustain us through every trial. There is nothing God cannot handle. To place our hope and depend on anything else in our lives would be in vain and will lead to a tragic demise. Depend on the strength of God and not your own strength. Pray and seek God’s deliverance when life is perplexing. You cannot do it alone you need the strength of God to deliver you.

Lastly, there are what appear to be Christological inferences in this text. Specifically, the idea of salvation. That word literally carries the tone of one being saved from something or someone.

For the individual today who may be here and looking for the way to be delivered. Let me say that you cannot do it. There is no way to be saved other than through Christ Jesus. Your strength, your power, your intellect, your influence, your money, your status, and your family ties cannot do it. You must know Jesus as Lord and make Him Lord of your life.

TRANSITION: As we depend on God's strength, we must also depend on God’s sight.

Depend on God’s Sight (vv.18-19)

“18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”

David goes on to prove that God can be depended on by demonstrating the attentive heart of God. Verse 18 says that God’s eye is on those who reverence Him and trust the love He has for them. But verse 19 gives two reasons why God watches those who fear Him. The psalmist says that God has His eye on His children, one, so He can deliver their souls from death, and two, so He can keep them alive in famine. God watches not to see what is happening to His children but so that He can take care of His children. God is not a spectator. God operates and functions in the lives of His people.

Interestingly enough, what the psalmist is conveying is that God has the ability to see both internally and externally, He can see right now and see into the future. God watches the souls of His children and protects them from the darts of satan. He sees the propensity of physical turmoil and has already prepared to sustain His children.

In vv. 20-21, David says He trusts God with his soul and relies upon the help of God. David knows that God is watching and praises God for being present and available. He declares that regardless of what happens in his life, he knows God has an eye on it. There is no other name or any other being who can do what God does. There is no one who cares as God does, so David proclaims that God’s vision is not blurred nor dimmed. He trusts the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil”[5]

Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”[6]

ILLUSTRATION: While sleeping a families home began to burn and the father began lead his wife and children to safety. When they got outside the father noticed that one of his sons was still in the house. The blaze had become to fierce to run back in and the firemen wouldn’t allow him to either, but he heard his son calling for him from his bedroom window. He ran to the side where the boy was and told his son to jump and he would catch him. The little boy replied, dad I can’t see you. The father said, “Don’t worry son just jump. I can see you!” That’s how is is with God in our lives, we may not be able to see Him in our situations but He sees us.

TRANSITION: See, God's vision is perfect and nothing obstructs it.

Unlike us, God sees the end from the beginning. Even when we can't comprehend our current situation, we can find peace knowing that God's perspective is perfect. You may not see it, but God does.

I need to tell that person here today who worries about everything in life. I need to tell you today that God sees you, and He sees the problem. God is not spectating; He is working it out for you. God sees your struggles and God is providing you with His divine presence. No, you are not alone. Depend on God’s sight because He can see further than you can.

When you are faced with problems and conflict, you benefit from a God who sees. This is the time when you turn to Him in prayer and place it in His hands. Depend on the sight of God to get you through it.

The text says He watches so that your “soul is delivered from death,” Do you see that? You have no need to worry and stress yourself out with what is going on in your life. God sees it and is prepared to deliver you from it. Stop pulling your hair out, stop snapping about it, stop creating drama around it. God sees it, and he sees you. God can handle it. Trust His sight. But it also speaks to the health of our relationship with God. See, if you don’t have a relationship with God, your soul is vulnerable to death. I think this is a good point to invite whoever hasn’t tried Him and does not know Him to get to know Him. Yield your life today and accept His Son as Savior. God saw through the corridors of time that we would need a Savior, so He sent Jesus to Calvary. He died to protect your soul. Trust the sight of God!

But the text also says that God watches “to keep them alive in famine.” When we consider famine, we think of scarcity and hunger. Our text encourages us to recognize that God is a provider. He provides! You needn’t worry about what you don’t have because God will provide what you need. Whatever you need God’s got it! Depend on His sight!

TRANSITION: As we embrace God's strength and sight, we can now rejoice in the pinnacle of His love.

Rejoice in God’s Love (v.22)

“22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

David begins to praise God for the love God continuously shows. David describes God’s love as steadfast, meaning God’s love is not fickle and wavering. God loves His children, and there is no one who can change the love He has for them.

Though David praises God for his love, he also prays to God for His continued care. David says, “Lord, your love is so good, and your care is so great we don’t want to lose it.” Listen to what David says next, “We place our hope in you!” In other words, David says, “We trust God’s love will not fail us.”

ILLUSTRATION: Martin Luther the great reformer said, “God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.”

TRANSITION: Here is the lesson for you and me today.

Placing our hope in God is not an isolated act; it's a continuous journey of experiencing His unfailing love. God’s love does not change, and we can trust Him always to do what is best for us. God's love is constant, unwavering, and unconditional. In times of uncertainty, His love remains a steadfast anchor for our souls.

Rejoice in the fact that God loves you. Reflect on the tremendous blessings God has bestowed upon you and rejoice. Think of all the things God has brought you through and over. Consider the struggles you have overcome and rejoice in God’s love! Maybe you are going through it right now, I stopped by to tell you that God loves you, and you can rejoice. In moments of doubt or despair, God's love becomes the foundation of our hope. We can find comfort in knowing that we are deeply loved by the Creator of the universe.

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s love for His people.

My favorite is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not die but have eternal life.”

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain: Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

Conclusion:

Place your hope in God. You can depend on Him to see you through. I think I better tell you that He never fails.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

3 His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

4 When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found: dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]

Be not dismayed whatever betides you, God will take care of you!

Beneath His Wings of love abide, God will take care of you!

[1] Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, 2nd ed., vol. 19, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2004), 274. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 20:7–8. [3] Ibid, Ps 27:1. [4] AMG Bible Illustrations, Bible Illustrations Series (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2000). [5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 3:12. [6] Ibid, Ps 34:15.