Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2012

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A Song of Hope

Introduction:

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.”

While the world sees hope as a wish or desire, the child of God’s view of hope is “A deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises.”   (Jeremiah 17:7)

The Word of God is a great source of hope for the believer.  Our text today, Psalm 27, reveals why we should have hope.  It has been called “A Song of Hope.”

Text: Psalm 27

Body:

I.             Confidence in God Provides Hope   (Verses 1-3)

·         “Light”   God delivers His people from darkness.   (Colossians 1:13)   There is no need to fear evil or even death.  Also, He guides our steps.   (Psalm 37:23)

·         “Salvation”   God delivers the godly from condemnation.   (John 5:24)

·         “Defense”   My strength is in the Lord.   (Isaiah 54:17)  There is no reason to panic, dread, or fear.  Because of whom God is, His people need not fear any enemy.  They cannot beat God!  Recall all He has done in the past.

II.           Communion with God Provides Hope   (Verses 4-6)

·         David is committed to spending his life in the presence of the Lord, where God is honored and worshipped.  He concentrates on this goal and focuses his efforts there.  Note:  (Psalm 84:1-4)

·         He wants to “behold the beauty of the Lord.”  When one seeks God’s presence through worship, he makes sure he approaches Jehovah in the proper way.  He uses his mind, emotions, and will.  By doing so, the worshipper experiences the delightfulness of God.

·         David reveals how dependent he was on God.  God’s tabernacle, His tent, His rock show how safe he feels in God’s presence.  (Psalm 40:12) (Colossians 3:3)

·         This prompts him to make sacrifices and sing praises.  This should be our response as well.   (Hebrews 13:15)

III.          Compassion of God Provides Hope   (Verses 7-12)

·         David seeks God’s compassion and mercy.  He prays out loud.    (Psalm 4:6-7)  He trusts that God will hear his prayer.   (Isaiah 65:24)

·         Even if forsaken by his parents, he knew God would never forsake him.   (Hebrews 13:5-6)

·         David desires to be taught by God for he knows Jehovah will lead him in a “level path.”  He trusts God to lead him on the right path.    (Psalm 119:105)  His enemies were “watchers for my fall.”              Note:  (Psalm 5:8)

IV.         Comfort from God Provides Hope   (Verses 13-14)

·         It was David’s strong faith in God’s goodness that kept him from despair.  This goodness was not just for the next life, but for this one also.  This gave him comfort during difficult times.   (Psalm 23:6)

·         Persevere in waiting on the Lord.  Trust in God’s timing.  Wait with confident expectation.

·         This comforting thought provides hope.

Conclusion:

Spurgeon wrote the following many years ago, “Wait at His door with prayer; wait at His foot with humility; wait at His table with service; wait at His window with expectancy.”

Bobby Stafford                                                                                                 

 April 28, 2013