Text: Psalm 27:1-6
Introduction: As I read the words of this psalm, I see the imagery of battle being portrayed in these verses. Words like “enemies” and “adversaries” in verse 2; “host” in verse 3; “war” in verse 3; and “enemies” in verse 6 all speak of warfare. Phrases like “though a host encamp against me”, verse 3; and “though war rise against me”, verse 3 speak of a battle being waged against David. It appears that he is in a difficult situation. Yet, it is also very clear from reading these verses that even in the midst of the battles he is fighting, that David still has hope.
Hope is a powerful thing. G. K. Chesterton said, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” Emily Dickinson, in one of her poem said, “Hope is a thing with feathers, That perches in the soul.” O. S. Marden said, “There is no medicine like hope . . .” Pliny the Elder wrote, “Hope is the dream of a waking man.” Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”
Here is how the dictionary describes hope. “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 viewpoint is just what that definition describes. The world sees hope as a wish or a desire. Hope, for the world, is a longing for something that may or may not take place. The Bible teaches us a vastly different definition of hope.
Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP) 7[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.
1st Corinthians 13:13 (AMP) 13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The world says that hope is merely a fond wish or desire. However, the words used for hope in the Bible tell a different story. They teach us that hope is “A deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises!”
Now, 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 be sure we own in large quantities. I want to look into these verses for a while today and I want to preach about Hope 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
Illustration: David begins his psalm of hope by declaring his personal faith in the Lord. Notice the three-fold use of the word “my” in verse 1. David has a personal relationship with God. This is the basic foundation for hope.
A. Psalm 27:1 (NASB) 1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
B. David has confidence in the person of the Lord.
1. David tells us that God is his “light”, his “salvation” and his “strength.”
2. There is a tremendous blessing in these three titles attributed to our God.
3. As Light, God delivers His people from Darkness.
4. Colossians 1:13, 14 (NASB) 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
5. As light God guides our steps.
6. Psalm 119:105 (NASB) 105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
7. As salvation, God delivers His people from eternal death.
8. John 5:24 (NASB) 24"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
9. As strength God delivers His people from defeat
10. 1st Corinthians 15:57 (NASB) 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. As strength, God guarantees our success.
12. Romans 8:37-39 (NASB) 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
13. These three great characteristics of God serve to give us hope even in the midst of battle!
14. Because of who our God is, we need not fear any enemy that should arise against us.
15. Satan himself is no match for our sovereign God!
