April 23, 2021 -- Psalm 20:1-3 -- Armed for Battle
/May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
Psalm 20:1-3 English Standard Version
This is a Davidic Psalm—the King is about to go into battle. The people are offering up a prayer for His success. The King desired to be faithful to the LORD his God, evidenced by way of the cultic sacrifices he offered, the offerings which are prescribed. Besides these the King offered the burnt offerings which are gifts of thankfulness to the LORD. Here the King and the people pause, selah, means to reread, pause and reflect on these things.
New Testament Christians read this, understanding the daily battle we are engaged. It is a battle against our flesh, the devil and the world and we strive to be faithful to the LORD our God. In a world where our government has proclaimed abortion as a core value, and is constantly redefining the nuclear family out of existence, we realize how much we need our King, Jesus, to lead us into victory! He is the only sacrifice we need in order to be right with God. Jesus is our righteousness, therefore, when we engage in living for Him in this world, we are everything we need. Jesus, as the descendant of David, is the True King, the Eternal King. Pause and reflect on that.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence II Peter 1:2-3. What a glorious truth, as soldiers all the strength and help we need has already been given to us! Go out and serve your King!
Mighty King Jesus, forgive us for our quivering hearts which have been directed by fear rather than flushed with the fresh courage of Your cross lifted high over us. Spirit of the Living God, send us out as witnesses for Jesus, hear and far so that the glory of our God and Father is proclaimed throughout the world. Amen.
https://youtu.be/GzlponYvF30
