August 1, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in some selections from Psalms & Proverbs? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 20-21 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
Well after leaving Judges and reading this it is clear the abundance of victory that follows when God is leading. We saw when the people called to Him he answered and victory came and when we go it on our own we lead to our own destruction.
So glad we have a God that gives us the victory when we follow Him in everything!
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalms 20:7 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-20-7
“Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.”
Psalms 21:13 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-21-13
Struck by verse that says “May God give you the desire of your heart..” I’m praying it is God who will plant desires in my heart.. and I will be sensitive to it, in contrast to the desires of the flesh/the devil for me.
Psalms 20
Psalm 21
Psalms 20 and 21 are a couple of the royal Psalms found in this book. They focus attention on the king and his relationship with God, usually emphasizing God’s blessing and favor being on the king. So even though David might be wishing all these things in Psalm 20 for the people of Israel, it is mainly wishing it for the king. We are far removed from the time when kings ruled, and even though the regard given to them went too far, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a place to regard those in authority and desire good things for them. And how can you not love Psalm 20:7? There are many things in our modern day that are consistent with the horses and chariots mentioned here, but may we not put our trust in the things of this earth, but rather trust in God.
Psalm 21 then focuses on what God’s hand on the king means: victory, honor and taking care of his enemies. For surely God will take care of all His enemies and so it is useless to oppose Him in our lives. And we have to remember, that in some ways, to not be for Him is to be against Him. There really is no neutral in the Christian life….we are either moving forward, or we are moving backwards, even if being lulled to sleep with regards to the things we should be doing in our lives that reflect submission to Him.
Psalms 20-21
7Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!