Psalm 20:1–9 (ESV) —
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
NOTE: This Psalm repeatedly uses the phrase "May he …" suggesting that none of the prayer requests are guaranteed to be answered in the way which we might want. God is not our genie. He answers the prayers that are according to his will and achieve the purpose he desires for us and for those around us affected by those answers. It is nice when the two align, that is, when our prayers align with his will for our life. Yes, those are sweet times. But just like prayer, where we seek to (at times) manipulate God to do our will, so our own strength, represented by those who trust in chariots and horses, is another attempt to get our way. Rather, we should trust in the name of the Lord that however he answers (and we should pray), we can be confident that he sees the big picture and he is doing something grand.
PONDER:
- Do I realize that I am the servant? God is not the servant, I am.
PRAYER: Father, I know many of my prayers are selfish and only focused on my needs. Help me to get rid of those prayers, and pray things that are in accordance with your will.
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