Eternal Hope, Psalm 9:18

Opening Prayer:  You will never disappoint Your children, Lord.  You, their heavenly father, will not leave them in need.  The love You have shown to them and their love for You will abide forever.  Grant Your children the continued hope of eternal life in Jesus.  For it is in His name that we pray.  Amen!

Today’s Bible Verse: Psalms 9:18

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Associated Scriptures:

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out (Proverbs 24:19-20).

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Correlative Quotes:

Mercy is as ready to her work as ever justice can be. Needy souls fear that they are forgotten; well, if it is so, let them rejoice that they shall not always be so. Satan tells poor tremblers that their hope shall perish, but they have here the divine assurance that their expectation shall not perish forever.[1] – Charles Spurgeon

This is a sweet promise for a thousand occasions, and when pleaded before the throne in his name who comprehends in Himself every promise, and is indeed Himself the great promise of the Bible, it would be found like all others, yea, and amen.[2] – Robert Hawker

The Psalms are full of expressions of trust in God at all times, and they contain glowing testimonies to the perfection of God, to His love; His power. His faithfulness, His righteousness, show us the human heart laid before God in all its moods and emotions; in penitence, in desire for holiness, in doubt and perplexity, in danger, in desolation, or, again, in deliverance and triumph. The reader will always find something in the Psalms in sympathy with his spiritual state.[3] – J. R. Dummelow

Author’s Notes:

INTRODUCTION

Recently I heard a news broadcaster speaking of the presidential election, say I hope the new administration will bring unity to our nation.  A relative who purchased a used car from a reputable dealership had ignition problems with the vehicle on the first day.  He said, after the repair, We hope this is not an indicator of future issues with this vehicle.  A golfing friend made the statement during a recent rainstorm, “I hope this rain lets up so we can get back on the golf course.”

Without dreams and the hope that they will come true, mankind would be at a standstill.  Hope is what turns dreams into reality.  It keeps people moving forward with their lives despite both great and insignificant disasters.  When mankind is unsure of an outcome, hope spurs them on.

Hope is critical to maintaining a positive attitude toward life for both Christians and nonbelievers.  Helen Keller is credited with this observation on hope: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”[4]  The Bible, in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

ETERNAL HOPE

1. The Omniscient God: (vs. 18a) But God will never forget... In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses encourages Israel with this statement: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. God knows everything and everyone.  He is omniscient.  God’s love is personal, and at the same time, it is eternal.  His children should not worry about their position with God, it is protected in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit.  We are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
2. Depraved Mankind: (vs. 18a) …the needy…Jesus explains in Matthew 26:11: The poor we will always have with us. Despite government programs here and around the world, we still have poverty in every nation. Some are poor due to the lifestyle they have chosen.  Many are poor because they were either denied or refused proper education.  Most are poor because they have been born into poverty and have no escape.  However, all who have believed in Jesus have the hope of eternal life.  Our station in life does not determine our position in Christ.
3. Deprived Mankind: (vs. 18b) …the hope of the afflicted will never perish. The number one question among nonbelievers and even some Christians is, “Why would a God of love allow bad things to happen to good people? The simple answer, no one deserves eternal life since no one is good. Luke 18:19 exhorts: “Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone” 

There is no escaping our depravity of this life.  Mankind will always suffer the fruit of their disobedience to God.  There is no other solution to immediate distress and misery except in Jesus.  The “afflicted” will only find temporary hope in Him in this life but they experience sustained joy and blessing in the life to come.  In this life, people say, “I want what I deserve!”  We should all hope that we don’t get what we deserve in the life to come. 

Spiritual Application:

God has promised us eternal life through Christ (1 John 2:24-25).  Jesus’ resurrection is the witness substantiating God’s gift through faith (1 Corinthians 15:22).  The Holy Spirit living in us gives us the spiritual presence verifying the change occurring as a result (1 Corinthians 3:16).  The hope of eternity with God is based on evidence that cannot be denied (1 John 5:13).  Grasp this hope and make it a moment-by-moment reality in your life starting now.

Lessons within the Lesson:

What assures believers of eternal life?  Read John 10:28-30.

Who has the opportunity to believe in Jesus? Read John 3:36.

Why does mankind need a savior?  Read Romans 6:23.

How do the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to guarantee our eternal life?  Read John 17:3 and John 6:63.

[1] Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Psalm 1, Vol. 1, Public Domain, Public Domain, Fund and Wagnalls, 10 and 12 Dey Street, New York. P. 161.

[2] Robert Hawker, The Treasury of David, Psalm 1, Vol. 1, Ibid, P. 173.

[3] J. R. Drummelow, A Commentary on the Holy Bible, Public Domain, The MacMillan Company, New York, 1909, P. 325.

[4] Helen Keller, outofthisworldleadership.com/optimism-a-1903-essay-by-helen-keller-continued/, Public Domain.