Armed for the Fight

OPENING PRAYER:

Father, may I trust that when I reach for strength, you’ll give it; when I ask for wisdom, you’ll provide it. Thank you Lord.

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.[b] 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!

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 20:1 In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10.

[b] Psalm 20:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

PSALM 20

REFLECT:

Begin this time with gratitude. Think of three things you are grateful God has given you and thank him for them. Imagine: the clink of armor and weaponry, shouts of bravado, the scream of a horse unused to the crush, the churn of the dust underfoot. There’s a flash of light from a sword and the bright colors of the banners, chariots and foot soldiers, women and children getting underfoot. And then: a hush. With song and prayer, the king is blessed and the battle committed to the Lord.

You may have come across this saying, attributed to a minister named John Watson: ‘Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.’ They may not want a full-on military ceremony to send them out into the next skirmish, but Psalm 20 shows us three ways we can support them.

Firstly, by blessing them in the name of the Lord. Let’s try praying verses 1 to 5 over each other as we live our lives of faith in an often-hostile culture.

Secondly, by reminding them of the true source of their strength – far greater than chariots or horses (v 7).

And thirdly, by calling on the Lord with them in solidarity and companionship: notice how from verse 7, the pronouns transition from you and I, to we and us.

APPLY:

Look for friends or loved ones who are struggling that you can bless, point to God, and pray with them.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Mighty God, in the battles of life, I know I quickly look to worldly solutions. Forgive me Lord, and may I look first to you and receive your overcoming strength and power.

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