Psalm 33:18 - God's Providential Care.

Psa.33:18; God's Providential Care.

Psa 33:18 (KJV)  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that 
fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 

Psa 33:18 (TEV)  The LORD watches over those who obey him, those 
who trust in his constant love. 

Psa 33:18 (NCV)  But the LORD looks after those who fear him, 
those who put their hope in his love.  

Psa 33:18 (CWR)  The Lord's eye is on those who honor Him, who 
place their hope in His love and trust themselves to His care. 

This is not an ironclad guarantee that all believers will be 
delivered from death and starvation. Thousands of Christian saints have 
been beaten to death, whipped, fed to lions, or executed (Romans 
8:35, 36; Hebrews 11:32-40). God can (and often miraculously does) 
deliver his followers from pain and death, though sometimes, for 
purposes known only to him, he chooses not to. When faced with these 
harsh realities, we must focus on the wise judgments of God. The 
writer was pleading for God's watchful care and protection. In times of 
crisis, we can place our hope in God.  [Life Application SB] 

Here is one thing that can never fail; "the eye of the Lord"-- 
the watchful providence of the Most High, "is upon them that fear 
him, upon them that hope in his mercy " (Adam Clarke Commentary) 

His eye is, in fact, upon all men; but it is directed with 
special attention to those who fear him and trust in him. Their security 
is in the fact that the eye of God is upon them; that he knows 
their wants; that he sees their dangers; that he has ample ability to 
deliver and save them. (Barnes' Notes) 

God does not save the self-confident (vv. 6-17). Those who look 
to a king, or human strength, or a horse cannot find deliverance 
(cf. 20:7). Rather the LORD saves and preserves those who trust and 
hope in Him. [Bible Knowledge Commentary] 

God's eye is upon His people: their eye is upon Him. In waiting 
upon God, our eye, looking up to Him, meets His looking down upon us. 
This is the blessedness of waiting upon God, that it takes our eyes 
and thoughts away from ourselves, even our needs and desires, and 
occupies us with God. We worship Him in His glory and love, with His 
all-seeing eye watching over us, that He may supply our every need.... 
That eye sees the danger, and sees in tender love His trembling 
waiting child, and sees the moment when the heart is ripe for the 
blessing, and sees the way it is to come. This living, mighty God, oh, let 
us fear Him and hope in His mercy. And let us humbly but boldly 
say, "Our soul waiteth for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, according as we wait for Thee." 
.... 
Children of God! will you not learn to sink down in entire 
helplessness and impotence and in stillness to wait and see the salvation of 
God? Andrew Murray [Spirit Filled Life Devotional SB] 

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why:
I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.
He is all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same.
My God knows all that's happening; beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me, to bring my head down low;
I call upon my mighty God; into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast, where all my strivings cease.
When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me. My life is in His hand;
Jesus Christ is my hope. It's in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances, to heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God, I'm resting in His 
love. 
I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory mine; He'll help me win the race.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!!
[author unknown]