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.

 

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?