Faithful Patriotism and Lasting Hope

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 148:1-2, 11-13
• Hymn — Let All Things Now Living (#254)
• Prayer of Invocation
• Catechism Reading — Westminster Larger Catechism, Questions 72–73 (Justifying Faith)
• Hymn — O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely (#84B)
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Hymn — Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (#284)
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

Sermon Title: Faithful Patriotism and Lasting Hope

Scripture: Psalm 33

I. The Blessed Nation Is God's Covenant People

• A. Verse 12 — "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" — is often misapplied to America, but its primary reference is to God's chosen covenant people.
• B. A biblical nation is a people with common kinship, social structure, and core beliefs; in context, this refers to Israel as God's heritage.
• C. Through Christ, the promise has expanded beyond ethnic Israel to all spiritual descendants of Abraham — God's elect from every nation.
  1. Ephesians 1:4-11 — predestined to adoption as sons, heirs of the promises, an inheritance in Christ
  2. Philippians 3:20 — our citizenship is in heaven
  3. Revelation 7:9-10 — a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language before the throne
• D. The greatest blessing any people can know is not political freedom, prosperity, or military strength, but belonging to God himself.

II. God Sovereignly Rules Over All Nations

• A. Psalm 33:13-15 — the Lord looks down from heaven, fashions the hearts of all, and observes all deeds; nothing escapes his notice or frustrates his purpose.
• B. History is not ultimately dictated by presidents, congresses, or kings — it is directed by the hand of Almighty God.
  1. Proverbs 21:1 — the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he turns it as he pleases
  2. Job 12:23-25 — God makes nations great and destroys them; he enlarges them and leads them away
• C. God has not destroyed this nation in spite of its ungodliness because of his grace and longsuffering.
  1. 2 Peter 3:1-9 — the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, but is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish
  2. God showers mercy on all mankind — sending rain on the just and the unjust — so that Christ would be glorified among the nations
• D. Christians are commanded to pray for those in civil authority.
  1. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 — supplications and prayers for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness

III. Our Trust Must Rest in God Alone, Not in Earthly Powers

• A. Psalm 33:16-17 — the king is not saved by his great army; the warhorse is a false hope for salvation.
• B. God's word does not dismiss armies or deny the legitimate role of civil government.
  1. Romans 13:1-4 — governing authorities are appointed by God for the promotion of good and the execution of wrath upon evil
• C. Every generation faces the temptation to misplace trust — in wealth, military power, political parties, elections, or cultural influence; Psalm 33 warns against all of these.
• D. Psalm 33:18-19 — the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him and hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death.
  1. God directs his attention not toward the proud but toward those who trust in him
  2. No politician or earthly power can deliver the soul from death — only Christ
• E. Jesus is the true King before whom every knee shall bow; he laid aside his glory, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death — and because he died and is risen, our hope is secure.
• F. Closing exhortation from Psalm 33:20-22 — our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield; let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us even as we hope in you.