Psalm 65 came to me on Sunday, December 30, 2012 — two days before New Year, and I’ve been ruminating on its personal assurance to me as I begin 2013.
A psalm of David, it is bursting with hope and confidence for the future. I can see 3 reasons why:
First Reason: Because of Who God Is
Consider the God of Israel whom David praises in his poetry:
He is a listening God who hears the prayers of his people (verse 2).
He is a forgiving God (verse 3).
He is a giving God (verses 4 and 9).
He is a saving God – “O God our Saviour” (verse 5).
He is the Hope of the earth (verse 5).
He is powerful and strong (verse 6).
He is Creator of the world (verses 6 and 7).
He is the Ruler of all nature and Ruler of all nations (verse 7).
He is a caring God (verse 9).
He is God of abundance and overflow (verses 11-13).
He is God of joy and gladness (verses 12 and 13).
Psalm 65 speaks to me of a good and beautiful God. How wonderful it is that this God who had made himself known to David thousands and thousands of years ago is the same God I trust and worship today! He is the God of History – unchanging and unfailing; all-true and all-loving.
My hope for 2013 rests not on a stable government nor a robust economy; not on material wealth nor prospects of prosperity; not on powerful leaders nor benevolent good-doers. My hope rests in God alone because truly he is “God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas” (verse 5). This is why I look forward to this new year with quiet hope and great expectation.
GutFeel 