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 33:20-22
What would happen if I started every day saying a personalized version of the last six words of this chapter?
“Our hope is in you alone.”
I would make it a personal claim – my hope is in you alone. The more I would say it, the more real it would be for me, personally, individually. Yes, Lord, my hope is truly in you alone!
What is hope? It’s a trust-filled waiting with great expectation for an outcome that will not disappoint.
And just who is “you alone”? The object of trust-filled anticipation is God by himself. This means believing that he is enough. We know in theory that he is all we ever need. But this statement affirms a growing relationship with God that no matter what, we can rest in knowing we have securely placed our hope in one who is credible and worthy.
Amid the circumstances that fester in our country and around the world, I am tempted to allow the cares of the present day to surround me. I can worry about finances, family matters, relationships. I can wonder about my future or the future for my children. Fear sneaks, and sometimes I can spend more time focusing on fears that lead to the “what might be” rather than relying on God’s love, which is. This love will never fade away!
Verse 22 reminds me to let God’s unfailing love encircle me. Love, instead of worry. Love, in place of fear. God’s love encircling us as a shield.
The previous verse draws us to “trust in his holy name.” Scripture refers to God by many names. Each one of them deserves our trust. As we come to the end of another year, take a few minutes and thank God for who he is. Each time you read his name aloud, say, “My hope is in you alone.”
ELOHIM: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis. 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33; Genesis 1:1)
EL SHADDAI: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 49:24)
ADONAI: “Lord” (Isaiah 1:24, Psalm. 8:1)
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: “LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14)
YAHWEH-JIREH: “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
YAHWEH-RAPHA: “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26)
YAHWEH-NISSI: “The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15)
YAHWEH-M’KADDESH: “The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy” (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28)
YAHWEH-SHALOM: “The Lord Our Peace” (Judges 6:24)
YAHWEH-ELOHIM: “Lord God” (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5)
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU: “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16)
YAHWEH-ROHI: “The Lord Our Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: “The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35)
YAHWEH-SABAOTH: “The Lord of Hosts, Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7)
EL ELYON: “Most High God” (Deuteronomy 26:19, Genesis 14:20,22)
EL ROI: “The God Who Sees Me” (Genesis 16:13)
EL-OLAM: “Everlasting God” (Psalm 90:1-3)
EL-GIBHOR: “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6)
Lord, today I’m going to repeat over and over that my hope is in you. Let these words sink deeply into my heart and mind. I want them to become a regular thought process of my life.
Cheryl recently released a short devotional on Psalm 33 entitled Rely.
Cheryl Lee Davis
Vice President of Women’s Connection
Inspirational