Fighting by Faith
The 20th Psalm is a Royal Psalm sung for the king who goes out to battle. The first 5 verses pronounce blessing on the king as he prepares to leave for war.
The people petition the Lord for victory with confidence.
Psalm 20:1–5 (ESV) 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!
The King confidently affirms that success is in their future:
Psalm 20:6 (ESV) 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.
Why is the nation and the king so confident? Because they are living according to God's promise made to them in ages past. You see, there is a scriptural president for the confidence of the king. They were told by Moses centuries before to believe for victory.
Deuteronomy 20:2–4 (ESV) when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
Would that we had such confidence in our battles with the enemy of our souls.
But Christians should expect victory in their lives. God didn't save you so you could simply waste away in defeat. Christ has triumphed once and for all. You are the beneficiaries of His eternal conquest.
I believe our confidence comes from living consistently dependent. This Psalm was recited as the king would offer a sacrifice to the Lord just before battle. That is, before he enacted strategy and strength, he first stopped to worship and love His God. That act of dependency was his key to victory.
Paul in Ephesians gives us the same command in that famous passage on Spiritual Warfare. That after listing the spiritual armor, he commends them to prayer:
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Before you face the battle, turn your face to the Lord. Trusting in Him who gives you victory.
The people petition the Lord for victory with confidence.
Psalm 20:1–5 (ESV) 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!
The King confidently affirms that success is in their future:
Psalm 20:6 (ESV) 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.
Why is the nation and the king so confident? Because they are living according to God's promise made to them in ages past. You see, there is a scriptural president for the confidence of the king. They were told by Moses centuries before to believe for victory.
Deuteronomy 20:2–4 (ESV) when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
Would that we had such confidence in our battles with the enemy of our souls.
But Christians should expect victory in their lives. God didn't save you so you could simply waste away in defeat. Christ has triumphed once and for all. You are the beneficiaries of His eternal conquest.
I believe our confidence comes from living consistently dependent. This Psalm was recited as the king would offer a sacrifice to the Lord just before battle. That is, before he enacted strategy and strength, he first stopped to worship and love His God. That act of dependency was his key to victory.
Paul in Ephesians gives us the same command in that famous passage on Spiritual Warfare. That after listing the spiritual armor, he commends them to prayer:
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Before you face the battle, turn your face to the Lord. Trusting in Him who gives you victory.
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