Psalm 20

Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire
    and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
    and in the name of our God 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 might 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 collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
    May he answer us when we call.


What I like about this passage is it reassures me. On the days of trouble, we can experience God in a greater way. The days of trouble teach me to rely on Him, knowing His strength is sufficient while mine is not. When we turn to Him, we are calling on Him and accepting His help.  It is choosing not to turn to the  world, but turn to Him first to seek lasting help. Turning to the world, in itself, will not work! The world is just as empty in its strength and limited resources as we are. We need God. We need to just say his name: "Jesus". The precious name of our Lord! We need His guidance and strength! He will direct our path!


When we turn to Him, many things happen as a result:


1. We have God's protection!


2. He will send us help and support from the sanctuary of Zion. In my Bible's study notes, it says: "this is the place where God especially makes himself present among his people." We know this is when He is made known. When He is helping us, His presence is definitely made known! We experience Him greater as we turn to Him in times of trouble. We need to be seeking Him!
   
3. 'May God recall your' worship experiences. For the Israelites, they came to know God, received assurance of God's love, and devoted themselves to Him through burnt offerings and sacrifice. This was how they worshiped. They did not have the Bible... For us, we are able to get the same kind of assurance of His love and experience Him as we worship Him through reading God's Word (the Bible), spend time in prayer, praise Him through song as we learn more about His character as we sing these songs. Worship deepens our faith and helps us to experience Him more.
   
4. This is where point A and B connect: Worship and fulfillment of our desires. As we spend quality time with Jesus, we are changed. We become transformed! Ahh, yes transformed. Speaking of transformed. Romans 12:2 reminds us: "Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
   
   Our desires are fulfilled, because our desires become in line with what God wants for our lives… It is that it is in line with God's will. God ultimately knows what is best, which is why His will is so important.
   
5. Deepening our relationship with God during the times of trouble can bring joy. Yes, even joy! We can be joyful as we go through troubled times. Not because of us, but because the Lord is our strength. With God on our side, we can make it through anything!
   
6. Prayer is greater than we could ever imagine. God can do anything! Turning to Him can bring radically changes to our lives and circumstances! Scripture reminds us:
   ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
   
   
7. Trusting in Him is essential! Love this verse, which says it all:


Psalm 20:7-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.


Even in troubled times, we are able to get right back up. It is not because of our own strength. Many can stand in their own strength and still are without hope. The hope comes through God and His son Jesus. Choosing to trust in Him is what will give us the strength to "rise and stand upright". He is the One who can make us joyous during trials and difficult times. Deepening our relationship with Him is the best thing we could do with our time and energy: seeking Him.