Psalm 20 doesn’t avoid reality. David opens the Psalm with these words: “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble.” He doesn’t say if the day of trouble comes–it is sure to come. The day of trouble is an untimely death, an unexpected job loss, the disappointment of a wayward child, the devastating news that your husband or wife is cheating, a bill you never saw coming, a diagnosis that stopped you in your tracks, the unwelcome depression that crept into your life, or your unrelenting boss. For all of us, the coronavirus and its aftermath is a most unexpected and unwelcome day of trouble.

Whatever your day of trouble, Psalm 20 is for you. Pray it for yourself. Pray it for someone you know.

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! 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!
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. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. (Psalm 20:1-9, ESV)
Praying this prayer requires that you make a decision: to trust yourself, your own devices, your own capacity…or to trust God. King David had chariots and horses but he chose not to trust them.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.–King David

There isn’t enough blog space to recount all his names, but consider these.
When you struggle with the meaning of your life, he is Elohim, the God who created you.
When today seems like the worst day you’ve ever experienced, He is Jehovah, the Great I Am.
When you are weak he is El Shaddai, God Almighty.
When you need healing he is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord your Healer.
When you are in the valley, he is El Elyon, God most High.
When you are battling he is Jehovah Nissi, the banner flying high.
When your needs outweigh your resources, he is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord your Provider.
When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he is Jehovah Rohi, the Lord your Shepherd.
When your life seems out of control, he is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord your Peace.
When you cannot defend yourself, He is Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts who fights for you.
When you don’t measure up, he is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord your Righteousness.
When your tomorrow seems more daunting than today, he is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is There.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

If you’re going to live out Psalm 120, you will have to take what you normally trust in and trade it for trust in God. A way to immediately apply this Psalm is to pray, “Lord, I usually trust in (my health, my investments, my abilities, my knowledge, my perusal strength) , but today I will trust in you, Elohim, the God who created me. Or Lord I’m sorry that I’ve trusted in (my ability to protect my family) but today I trust in (El Shaddai, God Almighty).

Over the next few days (and maybe weeks) we will explore these names. And I am convinced you will discover a God you never knew.

 

4 Comments

  3. Look so forward to these posts on enough for today! Thank you ,Jerry we feel blessed to have you as our Pastor. Mike and Ellen Ornberg

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