Hope In The Midst Of Battle

Hope In The Midst of Battle

Text: Psalm 27:1-6

Introduction: Are you struggling today? Do you feel your whole life is being wrecked by ongoing spiritual battles? Do you wish Satan would go pick on somebody else for a while? Do you need some inner peace and comfort? Do you wish you could just experience a little peace and hope for a change?

This psalm draws a picture of a raging battle. From David’s own words, we see that he is undergoing a tremendous battle. His life is wreaked with chaos and difficulty. Yet, as we read through it, we begin to see that even in the midst of the raging battles, David continues to find hope and assurance.

Hope is a powerful thing. It has been said, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”

The dictionary describes hope as “to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely.” Hope, from the world’s standpoint, is just what that definition describes - a wish or a desire - a longing for something that may or may not take place.

God’s definition for hope is much different than the world’s. While the world sees hope as merely a fond wish or desire, the Bible speaks of hope, for the believer anyway, as a deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises! Jeremiah said it like this: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is,” (Je. 17:7).

I know you have battles; but do you have hope? Are you resting in the sure confidence that God will do just as He has promised He would? That is the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to possess. I want to look into these verses and talk to you about the hope God gives in the midst of your battles. I want to show you, from the words of David, why you and I have a reason to hope in the Lord. Notice with me where our hope comes from and what hope will accomplish in our lives.

I. Our Confidence in the Lord Provides Hope

- vv. 1-3 - "The 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? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."

- David begins his psalm of hope by declaring his personal faith in the Lord. Notice his use of the word “my” three times in verse 1. David is declaring his personal relationship with God. A personal relationship with God is the basic foundation for hope.

A. David’s Confidence Is In The Person Of The Lord – God is his “light”, his “salvation” and his “strength.” There is a tremendous blessing in these three titles attributed to our God.

1. As Light, God delivers His people from Darkness – “For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” (Co 1:13).

2. As Salvation, God delivers His people from Damnation – “I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life.” (Jn 5:24).

3. As Strength, God delivers His people from Defeat – “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Co 15:57).

Application: These three great characteristics of God serve to give us hope even in the midst of battle! Because of Who our God is, we do not need to fear any enemy that should arise against us. Satan himself is no match for our sovereign God!

B. David’s Confidence Is In The Performance Of The Lord – David’s present hope in the Lord rests upon that which the Lord has done for him in the past. God did not fail him then and He will not fail His child now.

- That same confidence is ours today! The God we serve is unchangeable. God proclaimed in Malachi 3:6 says: "I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I never change." He is the same God with the same power as always. He has never and will never change. Because He has been faithful in the past, we can count on His being faithful now.