Psalm
20 seems to be written as a prayer for the people, as the king and
his army prepare for a battle. It reminds me that too often we ask
for prayer, but don’t really give details. This was not a
pep-rally, but a solemn preparation. This is a prayer to be in unity
with God’s plan. The psalm begins, “May
the Lord answer you when you are in distress… the God of Jacob
protect you… May He
remember
all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings“.
It is possible David was referring to the colossal error made by
King Saul as he prepared for battle. Remember Saul did not wait for
the High Priest to offer the sacrifice, but took on that role for
himself. That action removed Saul from the role as king. There
were clear lines of distinction between King and Priest. There was
to be only one King and
High Priest; that was the Messiah. The prayer continues, “May
He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans
succeed“.
I
think sometimes we pray with the idea that we want God to come around
to our way of seeing things, but in reality, often it is our
perspective that must change. The desires of my heart are usually
very short term. As we read and study God’s Word, our
understanding is increased, and we are slowly changed. 2 Corinthians
3:18 says over time, “And
we… all reflect the Lord’s glory“
It
is interesting how goofy some of us act at a football game with loud
cheers and up stretched arms, and yet we often give God the polite
“golf clap”. Remember it was David that “danced
before the Lord with all his might”
while bringing the Ark of the Lord into Jerusalem. His enthusiastic
celebration caused his wife to be disgusted at his behavior. David
simply said, “I
will celebrate before the Lord”
(2 Samuel 6). The psalm continues, “We
will
shout
for joy when you are victorious
and
will lift up our banners in the name of our God“.
Sour, dower Christians bug me. Where is your joy? I have reason to
celebrate every day of my life! “I
know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy
heaven with the saving power of His right hand“.
It is Jesus Christ that sits at the Right Hand of the Father and by
His righteous works I am saved. Hallelujah!! The psalm ends with
our options, “Some
trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the
Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise
up and stand firm“.
Do you stand on anything firm?
Psalm
21 sounds like the post-battle interview. I imagine the reporter
shoving the microphone into King David’s face after the victory.
David does not hesitate to credit God. “O
Lord, the king rejoices in your strength.
How
great is his joy in the victories You give!
You
have
not withheld the request of his lips”.
David does not exalt himself, “Through
the victories You gave… You have bestowed on him splendor and
majesty“.
Here again David explains the foundation of God’s Word gives his
life stability, “For
the king trusts in the Lord;
through
the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken“.
But David does not stop there. He closes the chapter with words of
warning that would prevent him from being on the Wheaties cereal box.
“Your
hand will lay hold on all Your enemies;
Your right hand will seize Your foes. In
His wrath the Lord will swallow them up, and His fire will consume
them“.
Some like to believe all people are good and only people of faith
are judgmental and mean, but God clearly has standards. Those that
actively work against God’s standards are choosing sides. “At
the time of Your appearing You will make them like a fiery furnace.
In
His wrath the Lord will swallow them up, and His fire will consume
them. Though
they
plot evil against You and devise wicked schemes, they cannot
succeed“.
There really is no neutral ground. Jesus said plainly to all who
would listen, “He
who is not with Me is against Me”
(Matthew 12:20). The game is on and the clock is ticking. Which
team are you on?
“Choose
for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord”
(Joshua 24:15).