Psalm 20 – The Day of Trouble
Some days are better than others. Some days are filled with
excitement and our hearts are filled with a zest for life. Some days are filled
with grief and sorrow so that our hearts ache from the difficulties of life.
You have heard the expression, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
While it may not always be so easy…my luck is I wouldn’t have any sugar or
ice…our outlook does affect the direction of our life.
In the day of trouble, David declared a glorious blessing
upon those who call upon our Lord and King (v.9). The Lord will defend,
protect, strengthen and remember us, accepting our offering if we do His will
(v.1-3). God can make all of our dreams come true (provided they are in
accordance with His will). Notice David’s blessing for God’s children: “May He grant you according to your heart’s
desire, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and in
the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy
heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (v.4-6). My first
reaction at reading these words is to say “WOW!” My second reaction was to say,
“I want some of that.” Seriously, Our God is a great God and He “is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Let’s dig a little deeper…
The key to receiving the blessings of God is that we must
first be in Christ for all spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus (Ephesians
1:3). We must be subjects to the King. Our hearts desires and our purpose
should be to serve our King faithfully. In those difficult days, God will help
us because we are His children and are living according to His purpose.
Sadly, many think they should receive the blessings of God
even though their hearts desires, their purpose and their citizenship have
nothing to do with God. Too many put their “trust in chariots” or in “horses”
(v.7). In our day, people still put their trust in uncertain riches. They are
not aware that “life does not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses” (Luke 12:15). They do not realize that they are lost if they lay up
treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God (Luke 12:21).
If one will remember the name of the Lord and serve Him,
salvation is waiting. God will be there to fight for us and help us in our
journey. Our dreams will come true because we are living according to God’s
purpose. Whether it is a good day or a bad day, our focus should be on serving
the One True God.
You may have thought that the way this article started you
would find it reaching the conclusion you see on so many TV “preachers” that if
you serve God you will be rich, especially if you send me your money. However,
in truth the article reaches the conclusion that is the main theme of the Bible
from Genesis to Revelation: the redemption of man. Our prayer for this
community and for our world is that all will become citizens of the kingdom of God
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