DEVOTIONAL ON PSALM 20:2

CEF International Headquarters, Warrenton, MO

"May He send you help from the sanctuary

And strengthen you from Zion."

Psalm 20:2, NKJV

What are my three favorite Psalms? Would you count me an infidel if the 23rd Psalm isn't that high? Believe it or not, it's 6th place? The top three consist of, in order, Psalms 84, 67, and 20. (For the curious, 4th and 5th, respectively, are 27 and 119.)

Today, I'm focusing on Psalm 20. Why do I place it so high? Is it verse 7, which says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses," and some paraphrase, "Some trust in Cadillacs and some in Porshes?" No, it's the first five verses.

Alex Darnall, worship leader at Northside Baptist Church in Indianapolis, was doing a devotional series on the Psalms and commented on the 20th that it's in context of the King addressing his army. I didn't think of that, and it sounds good. But I looked at it as a great Psalm to pray for others, particularly the first 5 verses.

When I looked at this Psalm a couple of days ago, I felt I needed the prayer from verse 2 for me personally.

PRAYER: Lord, I need Your help; please send me help from Your Sanctuary in heaven. I need Your strength; please strengthen me from Zion. And Lord, please let me know of any brothers and sisters in You that need encouragement and need me to pray this Psalm for them.

 

BOOK REVIEW - AWAKEN YOUR CALL: DAILY READINGS FOR PROPHETS AND INTERCESSORS BY JOHN ECKHARDT

When I saw the title "Awaken Your Call," I put this book by John Eckhardt on my reading list. In some ways, it's not what I expected, partially because I didn't look at the fine print on the cover. Nevertheless, I'm grateful I read this book.

The subtitle mentions it's a book of Daily Readings. This book is designed to be a daily devotional for a month, with 30 readings. Each is short, a 5-10 minute read each, so it's easy to read one each day. The sections follow a theme, but it seems they're a collection of readings rather than a book written in 30 short chapters, if you follow my point.

This book is written from a theology that differs from mine. For example, the author identifies himself as an apostle; I've spent most of my life in churches that believe there are no apostles or prophets since the apostolic era (1st century) ended.  However, there are items from his readings that I could learn from.

One thing I admire about this book is that it's written with the goal of encouraging believers to operate in their calling. Combined with that is his exhortation to those who were in local churches that preached the Word but did not encourage the prophetic calling to stay in those churches. Too often, believers who disagree with others on a key point treat them as if they rejected the truth. I'm blessed when I find someone without that attitude.

HOLDING UP THE ARMS OF CHRISTIAN ARTISTS GROUP - AN UPDATE AND INVITATION

 

"Holding Up The Arms of Christian Artists", original art

Years ago, I was involved in a pair of groups. One was called "Jesus Music 1969-1989," and is a large group where the focus is on positive memories of Jesus Music and CCM. To keep it positive, there are topics that are taboo on that group, such as any controversies about artists. The second group, "Discussion Board for Jesus Music 1969-1989" was formed to allow discussion of the issues that weren't allowed in the first group.

During that time, I decided to start a group focused on praying for artists. I forget the exact first name, but I called it a prayer board for Jesus Music 1969-1989, focused on praying for the artists of that era. Years later, I took off the time focus and made it for all Christian musicians, regardless of genre or time frame.

Well, I just recently decided to try to get it more active. A couple of days later, one of my novelist friends wasn't feeling well, so I decided to post prayer for her. This inspired me to extend the focus to include novelists, visual artists, cartoonists, etc. This was accompanied with another name change, and the group is now "Holding Up The Arms of Christian Artists." 

One thing that hasn't changed - the artwork I did for the group, which you see above. You may be familiar with the battle with Amalek in Exodus 17, where Joshua led the children of Israel against their enemies who attacked the rear ranks after they escaped Pharaoh and crossed the red sea. Moses, accompanied with his brother Aaron and Hur (some think he's Miriam's husband) to the mountain top. When Moses raised his arms with the rod, Israel prevailed, but when his arms lowered, the bad guys had the upper hand. So Aaron and Hur got a rock, had Moses sit on it, and they held Moses' arms up until the Amalekites were defeated.

If you don't know I have a heart for Christians in the arts, you haven't been paying attention to my reviews and interviews. This Facebook group is dedicated to praying for artists.

Would you like to join me? The link for the group is below.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1906415342732790

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 6 OF 48 - PSALM 20

 

CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) International Headquarters, Warrenton Missouri. There are nine flags, 8 representing different regions of the world, one for the sole country without any CEF work.

1   May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
    May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2   May He send you help from the sanctuary,
    And strengthen you out of Zion;
3  May He remember all your offerings,
    And accept your burnt sacrifice.

Selah

4   May He grant you according to your heart's desire,
    And fulfill all your purpose.

5   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.
6   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.
7   Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
    But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8   They have bowed down and fallen;
    But we have risen and stand upright.
9   Save, Lord!
    May the King answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:1-9, New King James Version

This is one of my favorite Psalms. Primary reason? Because it is a Psalm we can use to pray for others!

Just look at the first five verses! Aren't these wonderful things to pray for one another? True, verse 3 has the Old Testament feel of referring to sacrifices and burnt offerings. But if we're praying for a fellow believer who is making sacrifices in career or time for the sake of others and for the Kingdom, I pray with that in mind.

One other comment on this section. When I read about banners, I think of flags, which is why I had the picture of the Child Evangelism Fellowship International Headquarters and their flag poles. As mentioned in the caption, 8 of the 9 flags represent regions of the world, and the 9th focuses on nations where there is no CEF work, which currently is one nation. (I won't tell you the name, but it rhymes with Korth Norea.) Each Wednesday they change the flags (except for the one I just mentioned) and pray for those nations.

Verses 6-8 are referring to God answering and saving His Anointed. In context, it refers to David. There's a chorus based on verses 7-8, about some trusting in chariots and some in horses. At a youth group I was in, they paraphrased it to "Some trust in Cadillacs and some in Porsches."

Can you see why I love this Psalm?