Psalm 20 – Strength & Purpose Comes from God - Our Banner
By Bunni Pounds
*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah (verses 1-3)
In the day of trouble – who and where does the Psalmist point us to?
He sends us to the sanctuary and to the God who will defend us.
I am always trying to put our times in perspective with history.
Yes, this year and last year have felt complex and scary sometimes. Yes, our environment in America feels combative and polarized. If we watch cable news at all – we see the amplification of tweets and statements from elected officials and leaders. We see the back and forth – some truth, some lies, and some half-truth – and what seems like the destruction of modern communication. It can be disheartening for all of us.
But I also want us to look at history and know this: We are not the only generation that has gone through hard times.
What about the people who lived through World War II?
What about the Dark Ages where the remnant had to find scraps of the truth of God’s Word within a corrupt religious system?
What about the Christians in Israel right now that are taking shelter in Jerusalem fearing for their lives as rockets are intercepted by Iron Dome?
They needed a shelter during those seasons - and we need to find our shelter here in modern America today.
This is another reason why we are going through the Psalms this year – we need God.
At every turn – we cannot say it enough – we need to run to HIS SANCTUARY.
Only in the presence of God will we find peace. Only when we turn off our phones, silence our social media accounts, stop to rest, and focus on Jesus – only then will we see clearly and fully.
He will “strengthen you out of Zion” – from his holy hill and the place of refuge. Again, only there in His holy place will we find strength.
Worship is a powerful exercise because we turn our attention off the trouble around us and we find help in His presence. We are strengthened.
As a political consultant for over 15 years now and an activist for almost 20 years – I have learned a little secret to longevity as a Christian in politics and I think this wisdom applies to everyone regardless of where you find yourself in the midst of our culture.
We must break up our gaze from only looking at the world’s system. We cannot just look at the economy, public policies, or political candidates for hope – we must run to God’s sanctuary.
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose. (verse 4)
I have loved studying for years the sanctifying work of God - where He turns our desires into His desires.
We all know the scripture – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
What happens when we actually seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?
We become more like Jesus and see His transforming power in our lives. Our desires become His desires. Our hearts change.
So, when we read scriptures like Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart” – we must look at it through the understanding of how God transforms us and changes our desires. If we delight in Him – our desires change to be like His.
Is there something in your heart that you desire that has not been fulfilled yet? Are you delighting in God? Is it a godly desire?
Psalm 20:4 says that God “will grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your purpose...” What a powerful promise for all of us to rest in.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand. (verses 5-6)
One of the names of God is Jehovah Nissi – God our Banner.
Exodus 17:15 “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner;”
In this act of building an altar and calling on God – Moses was creating a place of remembrance and giving thanks for all that God had done. He was declaring the character of God, the faithfulness of God, and His promises to His people. He didn’t want the children of Israel to forget what God had done for them.
If Jehovah Nissi has been faithful in the past – won’t He also hear our petitions now?
That is what the Psalmist is saying here – God, our BANNER– has been faithful in the past and He will be faithful in the future.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call. (verses 7-9)
It is easy to trust in everything else but God - political systems, national leaders, financial systems, companies, educational systems, chariots, horses, anything else….
The night before the last Presidential election – our ministry held a prayer call with ministry and political leaders across the state of Texas. One of the Members of Congress on that call made a statement that a week later hit me as extremely profound, he said “One of the worst things that could happen is that the election goes exactly like you want it to go and then you put your trust in elections rather than God.” This is from someone who had a lot to lose if his candidate did not win.
His point – which is a good reminder to all of us - Jesus is ultimately our King! Our trust MUST be in Him regardless of what administration is in the White House or if our candidate won or lost.
When we have disappointments in any of these systems – we must remember Jesus is our hope.
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)
Our strength comes from His sanctuary and our ultimate purpose comes from His holy hill.
Let us never forget His faithfulness as we lift up the banner of our God and petition Him for His desires and purpose to come out of our lives. Know this: He is faithful to do it.
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