Hello, my friend. Today’s reading is PSALM 20, a kind of anthem of sheer praise to the Lord. It is not only a shout of praise to the Lord, but a prayer from David for those reading this song… a prayer to the Lord that He would answer them in distress, that the name of God would protect them, that they would find help from the sanctuary. But in vss.4-5, I particularly think of one of God’s names and that is Jehovah-jireh.
Perhaps you remember when we first encountered the word in our Bible Survey, back there in Genesis chapter 22. It describes Abraham’s greatest test, his willingness to sacrifice his precious son, Isaac, whose name simply means “laughter”. I’m sure you remember the story, how he is commanded to sacrifice Isaac there on Mt. Moriah, and how he immediately obeys God’s challenge. And in vs. 10, we read he “reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son….and the Lord said, ‘Don’t lay a hand on the boy..now I know that you fear God.’” He looked up, saw a ram in a thicket, took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. Vs.14 says, “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide,” which in the Hebrew is simply, ‘Jehovah-jireh.’
How powerfully does this apply to Psalm 20:4,5, which says, “May the Lord give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.” And this is linked to that great 16th chapter of Proverbs, where we are told so plainly, vs. 1, “To a man belong the plans of the heart…but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” And vs. 9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Here we have again the wonderful partnership we can enjoy, when the Lord is in control of our lives.
“Thank you, dear Lord, for this great anthem of praise. And with David we too can say, ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’ Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of sharing your life. Bless my friend who is alongside, and those in special need. Thank you, Lord.”
I thank God for you, my friend. Thanks for your prayers. Cheerio
Village Schools of the Bible 