Psalm 20:1–4: 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. May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
In intercessory prayer the congregation prayed in unison that God would answer their king’s request for victory and protection (v. 1), and send him help from the sanctuary (the tabernacle), the dwelling place of God (v. 2). They prayed that his sacrifices which accompanied his prayer would be acceptable (v. 3), and that his heart’s desire would be fulfilled and his plans would be successful (20:4). 1
Living the Transformed Life
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15
- Prayer involves faith before His throne, as you speak to the God of Abraham.
- Prayer involves sacrifice. You will be inconvenient, or tired, or weak in faith, and yet you will chose to press forward with obedience.
- Prayer involves waiting with anticipation for His plans and purposes to be revealed to you.
Prayer is a petition or a praise that we bring to Him; An answer is a divine response that He brings to us.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for the abundant grace that You supply in my waiting. Dear Jesus, please teach me that Your will, not my own, will be far better than my desires.
1. Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 808). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
