Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Psalm 33: Hope in the Lord

I don't know why I am driven to share these things but, here it is, today's “devotional”. I read Psalm 33 this morning and the thoughts wouldn't stop. I'm hoping these thoughts were words of God, whispered into my mind through scripture, not just me on a high horse.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18-19

The word “famine” brought to mind the current economy. Our country is going through a hard time: the unemployment rate is climbing, the sense of fear and despair is growing, probably thoughts of suicide are intensifying. So many people's hope has been in this “leading nation”, their investments, other gods. Those hopes are proving to be futile vanity.

Do we fear God or do we fear the loss of material wealth?

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name.” vs 20-21

It struck me that David wrote “our soul” as though his soul was shared with others, “our heart” as though sharing the same heart. It's as if the hope they shared unified them, brought them together as one unit.

Like the Body of Christ.

And that is the way the Body of Christ is supposed to function (Romans 12:3-5, 1 Cor 12:12-13); we have one purpose, one goal. We share that purpose and it binds us together. Or should.

“Let Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.” vs 22

I better hope big, then. I better put all my hope in the Lord.