Despite Israel’s national disgrace and economic hardships, in the sixth century before Christ, the Psalmist says he will sing of the mercies of the Lord, forever (v. 1). There is a reason for joy, by every believer, in every year, no matter the circumstances of life. The eye of faith looks up to heaven, and the heart remembers that God is faithful. God will keep His covenant. “The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him” (v. 22). For the psalmist, the past was a prelude to the future.
For those who study history, there is hope for our nation, despite her many enemies, both domestic and abroad. There is hope for our country, despite her exceedingly sinful behavior, which is worthy of the eternal wrath of God. Because of Christ, there will be a better tomorrow, if you will only believe. What many people need is hope and encouragement. Winston Churchill gave inspirational hope to his generation during World War II.
Speaking to Parliament on May 13, 1940, while England was being invaded, and Europe was being overrun by the German blitzkrieg, Winston Church, the British Prime Minister, saw nothing in the future but victory for the righteous cause of the Allied Forces.
“In this crisis I think I may be pardoned if 1 do not address the House [of Lords and the House of Commons] at any length today, and I hope that any of my friends and colleagues or former colleagues who are affected by the political reconstruction will make all allowances for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act.
I say to the House as I said to ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering.
You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.
You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs – Victory in spite of all terrors – Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.”
Let the heart of every Christian rejoice. There is victory in Jesus. That is the message in song an American wrote during the same time period England, and Europe, faced utter destruction.
“I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.”—Eugene Bartlett
While Prime Minister Churchill spoke of military and political victory, Eugene Bartlett spoke of spiritual victory. Both messages merge to remind the Church that God is faithful. The Lord will listen to the cries of the people with whom He has made a covenant. It is the Church that will save society from socialism, communism, wokeness, and every other form of tyranny, for God remembers His words. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Psalm 89:34).
For those who believe their nation is lost to secular humanism, globalism, and radicalism, there is a word of encouragement from the lips of God to your ear, found in Psalm 89. There is victory in Jesus. For the moment, turn your eyes from those who are willfully destroying the nation, through their own pride, and foolish beliefs. Turn your heart to God. Look for His promises in His Word, and believe them.
Today, a blessing is waiting for you as you read Psalm 89.
