Young Adults' Group

Affirming Our Faith

by Pastor Mark
January 23, 2026

The tendency to trust in man

It is vital that we have the right focus in placing our trust. Yet when we face the difficulties of life, we tend to place our faith in ourselves, in others or in the physical things of life.

The Psalmist recognised that a king would rely on his mighty army for deliverance (Psalm 33:16). The king’s strength would be the strength of his army. A mighty man would rely on his great strength (Psalm 33:16). Yet the strength of a horse would offer vain hope for safety, as it cannot deliver (Psalm 33:17). The challenge is for us not to focus on the physical things of life that people tend to rely on. Let us be challenged to focus our faith on God.

Affirming our faith in God who watches over us

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy,

to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18–19)

1. God is constantly watching over those of us who fear Him.
2. He sees us when we go through the difficulties of life.
3. God knows exactly what we are going through…our pain and suffering.
4. The challenge is for us to affirm our faith and hope in God and His mercy.
5. God’s mercy is expressed in His deliverance.
   1. There may be times when we are faced with the reality of death.
   2. The fear of death can be very troubling and disheartening.
   3. Yet, we should affirm our faith in God even as we face death.
   4. He can deliver our souls from death.
6. God’s mercy is also expressed in the preservation of our lives.
   1. Famine can cause the death of many.
   2. Yet, the Psalmist learnt to affirm hope in God’s mercy to keep him and others alive.
   3. Let us be challenged to affirm our faith in the mercy of God and His keeping.

Affirming our faith as we wait for God

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20)

1. There will be times when God will not deliver immediately.
2. The challenge is for us to wait for Him to act.
3. Let us continue to affirm our faith in Him as we wait.
4. We affirm our faith in God as our help in our time of need.
5. We wait confidently for Him as our shield and protection.
6. The soul is able to affirm in hope and wait patiently for the Lord’s hand of blessing.
7. Let us be challenged to emerge stronger from the difficulties of life.

Rejoicing in the Lord

“For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.” (Psalm 33:21)

How do we know that we have been able to affirm our faith? One way is we would rejoice in the Lord amidst the trials of life. Our hearts would be filled with joy and gladness as we know and trust the Lord. We can have faith in the holy name of God, which represents all that He is. Our faith helps us look to God and hope for His mercy upon us, “Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You” (Psalm 33:22).

Let us be challenged not to rely on ourselves or on the things of this life. Let us be challenged to affirm our faith in God and His mercy as we face the troubles of life in the year ahead.

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