Psalm 20
Sunday, 7 November 2021
“…but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” – Psalm 20:7
The Psalm is one of a prayer for help in the face of trouble the nation was facing as the people prayed for their king, that God would grant him victory. In the latter section of the Psalm, David is confident of his success as the Lord’s anointed, encouraged by the intercession of his people to trust God for the victory in the impending conflict.
As we read the Psalm the emphasis on “the name of our God” is evident as it is repeated. The people of Israel were known to the heathen nations around them to be different, by their allegiance to the name of the LORD God- YHWH. Thus calling upon His name showed their reverence, trust and His timely intervention on their behalf. The name of the LORD refers to His character, reputation, and nature and David gained confidence as he meditated the LORD God.
In the New Testament, we have ONE who came in the name of the LORD God- Christ Jesus; He said: “I have come in My Father’s name…” (John 5:43). We have made Him our Lord and Saviour and trusted in Him, we are kept in His name (John 17:11) and can pray in His name, knowing He will answer if we ask according to His will. 1 John 5:14-15 says: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
The fallen world we live is full of troubles, perils, trials and conflicts. The men of the world try to find relief or deliverance in trusting different means—their resources of power, money, strength, the so-called gods, they call upon. The Psalmist mentions: “some trust in chariots and some in horses” (V.7)—those were the strong weapons of warfare in those days owned by powerful kings. But David chose to trust in the name of the Lord for victory! He had experienced that time and again in his life in the many encounters with the wild beasts, the giant and in battles. He knew it was vain to trust in man’s power or resources. That is the confidence for a child of God as well!
As we go through the different struggles of life, what is our first response? Run to God or try to resolve things in our wisdom and strength? Or just cave in to the fear, anxiety and discouragement, so that you sit around just worrying?? God’s Word gives us innumerable instances of how God helps and delivers His people in their difficult times. His sure Word supplies encouragement, hope and strength to hold on to Him, to see Him working and bringing forth deliverance. The trying times of our lives are means to confident trust in God.
Today as you meditate on this Psalm, may the LORD answer your prayers, may the LORD protect you, may He send you the right help, may He grant your heart’s desire according to His will and fulfil your purposes; may He grant you victory in your conflicts and deliver you! Trust in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ in your trying time!
Meditate on: The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
Reference: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dcc/psalms-20.html
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