King Jesus

Imagine the scene. There’s an enemy threatening the nation of Israel. David has called up his army and the people are gathered to send them off to battle. A priest, or the people themselves, call out this benediction:

Psalm 20:1-5

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress: May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May He send you help from the sanctuary And grant you support from Zion.

May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offering.

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

May we shout for joy over your victory

And lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

In the Old Testament, the welfare of the people was completely dependent on the success of the king in battle. So, they called out with these strong powerful words to remind David and his army that the God who answered Jacob in his distress (Gen 35:3) is the same God who will answer them in theirs.

David responds with bold confidence in the saving power and presence of God.

Psalm 20:6-9

Now this I know:

The Lord gives victory to his anointed

He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary

With the victorious power of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall, But we rise up and stand firm.

Lord, give victory to the King! Answer us when we call!

Psalm 20 gives us a vivid description of David at his best – confessing his faith, and his people’s faith, in the God who is the true king and ruler over all.

They are powerful words for us today too. We all experience times of trouble. Life is filled with hardships and challenges and we feel the enemy pressing against us. What a comfort to know that the same God who answered Jacob and David will answer us when we call.

We don’t call for our King to be victorious – we can pray Psalm 20 because King Jesus IS victorious. Jesus defeated our enemies with his own death and resurrection. He gave up his life for us. He rose again, He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father where He reigns as the eternal king. Everything in all of creation and all of time is ruled by his sovereign hand. Our King is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He is also all-loving and all-good. This is a King we can trust.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

For Thine is the kingdom

And the power

And the glory forever and ever! Amen