Together in Christ: 'Our Hope Is in You Alone!' — Psalm 33:12, 18-22

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

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What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.

. . .

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. 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.

— Psalm 33:12, 18-22 NLT

Key Thought

My oh my, these few verses on our relationship with God are as wonderful as they are complicated. You see, far too often, we cherry-pick passages from the Old Testament specifically made to the nation of Israel and seek to apply them personally or politically to ourselves. Only in arrogance would any nation other than the faithful descendants of Abraham seek to apply these promises to their nation — especially because of the phrase, "whose people he has chosen as his inheritance" since being heirs of God is now based on faith, [1] not nationality. Nevertheless, two factors make these verses appropriate for us:

  1. As followers of Jesus, we are part of God's people, [2] and we are included as heirs of all God has promised [3] — whether we have an Israelite or non-Israelite physical heritage. We have been adopted into God's family by grace.
  2. The verses in the second part of our reading are for "those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love." They are for us as followers of Jesus, who approach God with reverence, awe, and joy for "in him our hearts rejoice." [4] As disciples of the Messiah, we place our hope in the Lord, YHWH, the God of the covenants. [5]

We can accept the promises of the second part of our verses. We can trust that the Lord's unfailing love surrounds us and saves us. [6] Our hearts can rejoice because the power of the Lord's holy name sustains us. We can declare to our God that "our hope is in you alone" because our Savior will never leave, abandon, or forsake us. [7]

So please, dear friend in Jesus, remember that everything in this world is passing away and cannot sustain you. Our life on earth is short and fleeting, and our time here is barely a fleeting shadow in the passage of time. Our assurance is rooted in an eternal God and the promise of our eternal home guaranteed by the word and work of Jesus.

[1] Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10.
[3] Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 3:2-6.
[4] For those in a covenant relationship with God, the fear of God involves reverent respect, holy awe, and exuberant joy at being in God's presence as one of His beloved children — Ephesians 1:3-14; Isaiah 6:1-8.
[5] YHWH is the covenant name God wants to be used to identify Himself forever — Exodus 3:14-16. Since God's name is holy and must not be used in vain or flippantly — Exodus 20:7 ESV, out of respect for the holiness of God's name, many of Israelite heritage will not speak the actual name of God. Instead, they refer to Him as "The Name" or "GOD" or "G_D" to keep from misusing the holy name of God. As followers of Jesus, we have God the Spirit inside us, and we can address God as our "Abba Father" — Romans 8:14-17.
[6] Isaiah 54:10; Lamentations 3:32; Romans 5:5-11; 1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-12.
[7] Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-6.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, my Abba Father, I rejoice in knowing that my relationship with You is eternal. My hope is in Your unfailing love and Your proven faithfulness to Your promises. May Your love surround me and those I love. May our hearts honor You for Your goodness, greatness, and grace. You are my only true and lasting hope — my help and shield — so I place my life in Your hands and seek to live to honor You. Please accept my life as my worship given to honor Your holy name and Your gracious love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 8:28-39
  • 1 Peter 1:3-9, 2:9-10

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About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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