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by Sandy Shaw
Please, do turn in your Bible to Psalm 20. Here in these opening words we read of something which we do not across often in the Psalm - the words of the prayer of the people for David. The people are letting David know that they are praying for him.
At the beginning of this “New Year”, if you have people praying for you, you are blessed – indeed, you are richly blessed.
In your day of trouble - may the Lord hear you – may the God of Jacob defend you and keep you safe and free from all harm.
The Hebrew ‘protect’ or ‘defend means’ - "set you on a high place".
Days of trouble come to us all - we are all involved in this Psalm in one way or another - it speaks to each of us quite directly.
As we face 2021, what better place to be than in the place of prayer and reading a Psalm relevant to what we are facing – no matter where we are in the world.
The New Testament encourages us to pray for those in authority so that we might live quiet and peaceful lives – 1Timothy 2verse 2 .
The Bible recognises that the welfare of the nation is tied and linked to the effectiveness of those in Government.
A nation will struggle to progress under weak or corrupt leadership, while just and competent leadership will bring peace and prosperity.
Psalm 20 opens with the people of God praying for King David – the Lord’s anointed.
When David went to war against the Syrians, he won a tremendous victory - we read about this in 2Samuel 10. O what our leaders could do if they had the prayers of the people of God behind them - and this is something we learn - and this is what God would have us be as disciples of Jesus - praying men and women.
With all his faults - the loyal praying people were able to overlook these - and were gracious and concerned to intercede for their king.
These people did not expend their energy criticising David. It is not easy to pray for a person whom you are criticising - and it is not easy to criticise when you are praying. “If we prayed more for those in positions of leadership, we might have less to criticise.”
When the people prayed for David not only was David victorious - but the people were victorious. It is important to pray for the king - and for each other too.
Verse 2 - The people were praying that the Lord would help and strengthen David - but note where the help and support came from - from the sanctuary - from the holy place - from the place of prayer.
This is where help comes from - this is where leaders can be strengthened and supported - this is how strong Christian Leadership is raised up.
Zion refers to that place where the people of God assembled and worshipped and sacrificed and prayed. This is one place where the Lord ministers to us. This is the place where we can receive healing and wholeness - in the place of worship - where the people of God are praising and praying.
Verse 3 - The people are praying that God would remember all the sacrifices David had offered - and we too can pray that today - Lord God remember the sacrifices - the offerings - whatever has been offered to you over the years - at some cost at times.
The victory of the king means victory for the people!
Lord, people have sown these as seed - Lord, produce a harvest.
David had sown - and given to God, according to His Word - Selah - Pause - Consider.
But also, there has been another sacrifice - the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, on the Cross.
Verse 4 - May God give you the desires of your heart. If the heart is clean the desires will be pure - this does away with selfishness and personal ambitions. May He help you fulfil all your plans.
These are tremendous words to pray for the king - but these are words we can use and pray for each other. God desires to answer our prayers.
"David, we know you are in God's Will - anointed of the Lord God - may He really help you in what you are doing under His Lordship."
Verse 5 - We will shout for joy. When we hear the news of your victories, we will rejoice - and in the Name of God we will lift up our banners.
David will know that the people of Israel are with him. "If God be for us who can be against us?" In the long run it would be better had the enemy not opposed.
Verse 6 has a note of reassurance - I know that the Lord saves His anointed - there is a confidence that God will give victory – and that is a fruit of the prayers of the people.
The king, being supported by praying people, responds and leads with positive confidence. Can we, in Christ, apply that to various areas of society, and even family life?
He ministers to those in need - and rescues those who cry out when they are in desperate situations. These are truths God wants us to know.
Verse 7 tells us that some people look to men for help - to armies - to people's position and to human authority.
Verses 5,6,7 express unwavering confidence in God! There’s something to get hold of for 2021.
Some trust in chariots - man's military power - but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God. Our confidence is in God alone.
We who are Christ's will look to HIM - HE is our Saviour, our Lord, our King.
This is where to seek help and strength - from God - and we do it while we are in the sanctuary - while we are in the holy place - and it is not the place which is holy but the people who are holy. That is why we come near - and place our trust in HIM.
The Holy Spirit helped David see where to put his trust - just as the Holy Spirit helps us. There was a day when Pharaoh gathered 600 of his best chariots to chase the Children of Israel - and we know what happened. God was looking after these people who were led by Moses and Aaron.
When God hears and answers the prayers of the people and makes the king’s plans succeed, then the whole nation may rejoice as they are able to rise and stand firm.
Verse 8 speaks to us about the chariots and the horses - the human forces - falling. But we who look to Jesus Christ the King rise and stand upright. The final outcome is not in doubt. The world needs to see that in these present days.
The people confess openly and admit publicly that their trust is in God’s power and not their own strength and ability. In this Psalm there is a trust in His Name - His Word - His Presence - His Power.
Verse 9 - Save our king O God - that is short and to the point. As we pray for him, may he know we are praying for him.
Here is a strong word encouraging us to continue to intercede for those is leadership, as well as for each other, because in one very real and practical sense we are all in leadership wherever we go, in Christ.
This is God's Way for God's People.
“Almighty God – we bow in worship – we praise you for bringing us to this moment – we pray concerning the days and weeks of 2021that lie ahead of us – we pray for leaders and for leadership – we pray for families and for friends – we remember those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ – we commit our lives to you – with thanksgiving – and trusting you, O Loving Shepherd, for the future.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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