Finding Gospel References

At caregroup on Wednesday, we talked about and practiced finding gospel references in many different passages of Scripture. I went straight to work today. I'm going through the Psalms in my quiet times, so I've got it easy spotting Gospel references in those passages - the Psalms are stuffed full with direct and indirect references to the different elements of the gospel: salvation, redemption, adoption, atonement, etc. So here's the part of Psalm 33, the chapter I read today, in which I recognized a reference to salvation.

" Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. "
[Psalm 33:18-22 ESV]

I found it interesting that in verse 19, the writer recognizes that first in importance is his soul, and then his body.

If you read this passage and were not gospel-minded, you may tend to notice more the part about the Lord keeping the writer alive in famine. That part is important, but put it in perspective of the gospel, and a whole new world opens up. These verses talk about hope [Ephesians 2:8], salvation, and God's steadfastness.

My takeaway point is that the Christian belief is all about faith. The word "hope" is mentioned twice and the word "trust" once in these five verses. Obviously, then, it's quite an important idea that it's through faith we are saved. Not by our own works, but by the calling of the Savior.