Read Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
Go Deeper
In Psalm 20, we read of preparation for war. David is about to go defend the Lord’s city and people; but before he takes off, people pray for him. A multitude cheers for the Lord to intervene on David’s behalf and to protect him. Sometimes it is tough to read of this camaraderie while we feel alone. We feel like we are preparing for battles we are too weak to fight. While they look different than the one David was preparing for, we prepare for battles and fight them every day. We fight them in our minds. We encounter them in our jobs. We face them in our relationships. In all of the battles we face, we are in constant combat against an enemy trying to rip us away from community and distract us from God.
Often when we are in this place, in front of an enemy or in a situation where the battle seems too big, we trust in the wrong things. We seek distractions. We turn to anything but the solution. What we often forget is this: We are actually not alone. We are surrounded by an omnipresent God of omnipotent power. The people in Psalm 20 realize this. They choose to not trust in the chariots or horses guaranteed to collapse and fall. Instead, they choose to trust the Lord, pray for their friend, and stand upright in confidence of deliverance. David reflects on his Savior in verses 6-8. The Lord saves His anointed. He hears us and answers us. His right hand is full of saving might.
Think about what an inspiring moment that must have been as all of the people were praying for David. They were interceding on his behalf, begging God to protect David. This shows us just how powerful it is to have people praying on our behalf and how necessary those people are in our lives. God did not make mankind to be alone. He uses His people to refine, support, pray for, and encourage His people. Isolation for the Christian is dangerous, so don’t try to go into battle by yourself. If you feel as though you are fighting battles on your own, today is a great day to open up to trusted friends and seek community.
Questions
- Who can you encourage today as they prepare for their battles?
- Who can you invite to pray alongside you in your battles?
- How are you preparing for war today?
5 thoughts on “Psalm 20”
The prayer in the opening verse contrasts a day of trouble and God’s defense. The battle is imminent, life & death hang in the balance as the people unify in urgent, faith-filled petitions to the God of Jacob to encourage King David before battle. They recall how the Lord has answered in the past and are confident he will again. Verse 5 shows they are singing of the victory before it even happens! My pause for today is 2-fold:
1. I will closely examine my heart for the sins of pride, self-reliance, & doubt confessing and repenting.
2. I will consider Jesus, the ultimate, perfect sacrifice God provided.
There is no doubt we all are facing battles. They are best fought on our knees where we are equipped to fight the good fight in faith and finish the race. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. SELAH!
I am in battle in the classroom. Many students are failing so I feel like I am failing. Yet, being “victorious” in the classroom has to mean something different than passing grades. It has to be something more sterna than that. My prayer is that God would show me what victory looks like in my classroom with his precious creations – my students.
Eternal, not sterna
Pamela, I understand as I’m in the classroom as well. Praying that our gracious Father will redeem this time with your students and bless the work of your hands as you shape lives for eternity.
Love your heart for your students Pamela and Ella! Keep up the great work in your classrooms.
Jon