CONVICTION PEOPLE
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the loving faithfulness you continually show your church. No matter what the circumstance, help it to stand as a bright beacon to your power, grace, and mercy.
Read PSALM 20
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm
Psalm 20
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. Selah
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving 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 O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!
Reflect
Think back; reflect on times when you have experienced God’s help and give thanks.
The context for this psalm seems clear. The king prepares for battle. Having completed his sacrifices to God in worship, with his army ready, he now faces a situation of life or death. This is not a rehearsal. The king’s life and future, with that of the nation, are on the line. You can sense urgency and earnestness as the people ask God to protect and support their ruler in winning a victory. They truly mean it when they cry out, ‘Lord, give victory to the king!’ (v. 9).
This royal context may seem far removed from our situation. Yet, within its distress, with which we can easily identify when facing our own battles, extraordinary faith conviction rings out. The people can cry out with confidence, ‘May we shout for joy over your victory’ (v. 5) and lift up banners in God’s name. Further, the psalmist—could it be the king himself?—expresses deep confidence: ‘Now this I know: the Lord gives victory to his anointed’ (v. 6, emphasis added). This cry of certainty jogged my memory of attending my first Spring Harvest festival—a glorious annual UK Christian gathering. I will never forget worship in the big tent. Though I came from a lively church, it was the first time that I had seen people singing with such joy, waving colorful banners. Stunning visually, they expressed such certitude that God can be trusted for the future. When we are apprehensive as we face battles, faith celebrates God’s protection and help.
Verse 5 reminds me of Paul’s powerful confession in his suffering: ‘I know whom I have believed.’1 When Christian believers in difficult circumstances express their utter conviction that God is able to guard what they have entrusted to him, they share this psalmist’s assurance. Moreover, there may be some banner waving!
Apply
Pray for someone you know who is battling difficulties, that despite the darkness, they might know the reality of God’s presence.
Closing prayer
Oh Lord, who promises to help me in my distress, help me to trust you, knowing that the ultimate outcome is most certainly in your hands.
1 2 Tim 1:12.
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