STRONG IN THE LORD
Opening Prayer
Lord, may I find my strength in You today.
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!
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph. 6:10). Think of some of the challenges you face.This is a psalm “of,” “for” or “concerning” David. It probably had a ceremonial use in the life of Israel as the nation prayed for its king. We could imagine verses 1 to 5 being said or sung by the priests and people, verses 6 to 8 by the king, with the final verse being the resounding response of the priests and people.
Every nation wants its leader to be strong, but expectations can be burdensome. Any king for whom this psalm is used could not fail to be confident, strong and hopeful. The day of “distress” (1) becomes a day of opportunity because ultimately the people are not looking to their king but to God. The king would know that his people are behind him and that God is for him. Like Joshua before him he could “be strong and courageous” (Josh. 1:9).
This psalm is a prayer, but it is also an act of blessing. How much stronger would our leaders, children, spouses, friends and colleagues be if we learned to speak blessing over them? David was a great leader. He lived out of the strength that comes from blessing (2 Sam. 23:1). Similarly, Jesus ministered from the confidence that he derived from his Father’s blessing (Mark 1:11).
Apply
What strength can you derive from the blessings of this psalm? Which words and phrases could you use to pray for, and to bless, others?
Closing prayer
Pray God’s blessings over your life and the lives of friends and family today.
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