The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 20

Please take your Bible and look at Psalm 20. The notes below will simply highlight a few thoughts within the text. Psalms 20 and 21 go together: The King before Battle (20) / Rejoicing & Thanks for victory given---all was sought in prayer (21).

v.--- 1---Trouble Looms in Battle: The Terrible (formidable) Name of God will protect You!

v.---2---Temple: May the LORD send You help from His Holy Throne in a timely and powerful manner! Wow---I love that old phrase: Help from Heaven's Sanctuary!

v.---3---Take Note: May the LORD never fail to "remember" your sacrifices and offerings with favor!

1. ---4---The Plans and Desires you Have: May the LORD make them happen!
2. ---5---The Salvation You "will" know: We will shout about it---and set up banners in God's Name! As Derek Kidner points out: salvation---or victory here, translates related words from the root "save"---think of the name=Jesus.
3. ---6---The LORD saves his Anointed!
4. ---7---Trust in chariots? No / Trust in horses? No---Both were relied upon in the Ancient world. We will rely upon The LORD our God...It is always a question of ultimate confidence?
5. ---8---They collapse and fall: The end of those who Do Not Rely Upon The LORD...
6. ---9---The Victory is YOURS to Give, O LORD: Save the King---May He answer us when we call...

The older I get, the more I realize, everything is actually accomplished because of help from Heaven's Sanctuary (Psalm 20: 2). I may have worked hard. I may have had some very capable human connections. Some individuals may have favored me. The task at hand may have finally been completely---some after years of toil (a few ahead of schedule). Even contemplating human agency and the passing of time---it is very obvious that the LORD God of Heaven is behind all that is worthwhile that has ever occurred in my life. He has "sent" help from His sanctuary and given "support" from Zion. Even when we are not aware of it---when we have not prayed as we should have (when we've been arrogant, even supposedly self-sufficient), the LORD has favored Us---for the sake of Jesus the Son. This is truly amazing...We are what we are---by the grace of God...we possess what we possess by the grace of God...

From Tim Keller: "Because God answers "him"---God's king (verse 1), he answers "them" (verse 9). How easy for us to place hope in analogous things---family, money, doctors, programs. Christians look instead to "their" anointed King, Jesus. God always answers him and honors his sacrifice (verse 1-4; cf. Hebrews 10: 1-22).---Lord, I am so anxious because I look to human wisdom, talent, and resources. They can let me down, but you cannot! Even if things don't go as I wish, if they are in your hands I am safe. And I know you will hear my prayer because you always hear my Savior's prayers. AMEN."

Perhaps you have read that three weeks ago, Tim Keller found out he has pancreatic cancer. He has begun some treatment. It was found very, very early. He asked for prayer and steadfastness. He had no symptoms---in God's providence, just found early...Quite timely his word today from Psalm 20...

God the all terrible! King, who ordainest

Great winds thy clarions, lightnings thy sword,

Show forth thy pity on high where thou reignest;

Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

God the all merciful! Earth hath forsaken

Thy ways of blessedness, slighted thy Word;

Bid not thy wrath in its terrors awaken;

Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

Henry Chorley (1842)

The LORD guide and Keep You ALL, Pastor Jason