Psalm 20: A Battle Prayer (7/23/23)

Hello and welcome to the Church Newtown Square Podcast.

If we can serve you in any way, or if you'd like to learn more

about our church, family or the Acts 29 network, please visit us

at Church NS q.org. That's CHVRCHNS q.org.

And now let's listen in to today's teaching.

Everyone knows, either from experience or word of mouth,

that bedtime routines for toddlers can be a bit.

Chaotic at times right now. Despite the chaos, Leah and I

have been trying our best to consistently include a

devotional and prayer time at the end of every night for our

kids. Now, specifically for my. 4 year

old daughter Cadence. We've been intentionally

modeling prayer for her, as well as encouraging.

Her to pray on her own. And so it's so cute and amazing

to see her praying to God. She'll fold her hands together

and then she'll scrunch her nose and then close her eyes.

And then, without fail, at some point in the prayer, she'll open

one eye and just scan the room to see you praying with her.

It's hilarious. I love it, but I love listening

to her. Simple.

Yet deep prayers, and I don't think she knows how encouraging

they've been to me and my faith in the Lord.

But what's also been encouraging to my faith in the Lord is our

current sermon series through the Psalms, which are the.

Prayers prayed by God's people as they face a variety of life

circumstances. And so today we're going to be

highlighting Psalm Chapter 20. Now this Psalm is.

Psalms 20 · chapter mention

Usually categorized as a Royal Psalm in that it.

Deals with the Israelite king and monarchy.

Now, back in that day, it was very common for the king not

only to rule. Over the people, but also to

lead them into battle, and so the king.

Would go out to battle alongside of his people.

Now, originally this Psalm was composed.

To be a prayer, to be used before some particular battle

and as we will. See, most of the Psalm is a

prayer done by the people on behalf of the king, and so in

the first portion of this text. We'll see that it's not even the

king that's praying here. It's actually a prayer done.

By the people for the king. Now, another important thing to

note about this Psalm is that back in that day, the entire

nation essentially saw themselves and were.

Tied to the king. So they saw themselves in the

king, and the king was the embodiment of the entire nation.

So for example, if the king won in battle that it meant.

That they all won, and if the king lost in battle then it

meant. That they all lost.

Modern day example of this is when the.

Eagles lost the Super Bowl this past season, and you know where

I'm going with this, right? But it was like the entire.

City of Philadelphia felt like they lost.

Now I have to admit. It was a great, fantastic first

half by the Eagles, but in the second-half, what happened?

And they just, like, choked. And Patrick Mahomes ended up

showing why he's going to be. The best to ever play the game

right now. Why?

In case you're wondering now, why am I picking on the Eagles

and not? Every other Philadelphia team

that was in a championship game last.

It's because, as a loyal fan of Washington football, I've never

seen an easier nor better sermon illustration to use in all of my

time of preaching than this one. Right?

Making a. Dig at the Eagles makes my

heart. So glad.

But you get the point. When the Eagles lost, you lost.

Now did. You actually play a down in the

Super Bowl? No.

But you still see yourself as part of the team, right?

And so it's the same concept here, but in many aspects it's

on much, much greater scale and so.

That's why the people would go to pray for help, protection and

strength for the king. As he would go out to battle.

Because if anything bad happened to the king, it means that the

same thing could happen to the entire nation.

The same outcome would be for the entire nation.

And so, as we'll see this, there's a bit of urgency in this

prayer. Because this battle that is at

hand is a major one, right? And so.

Like I originally said this this Psalm Psalm 20 was originally

composed. To be used before some.

Particular battle, but then eventually.

It slowly progressed to be used as a prayer before any battle,

and then finally it ended up being.

A prayer that could be used in the face of any threatening

danger. And so this Psalm is rich and

it's an amazing Psalm and so. As we dive deeper into this

Psalm today, we're going to be discussing the importance of

prayer and. What shapes the prayers of God's

people? See, because prayer wasn't just

important to the people of God back then, but it's also

important and vital. For us as the people of God

today. And so the main thing I want all

of us walking away remembering today is that when we have a.

Right view of who God is. We can pray with urgency,

confidence and hope. When trouble is near when we

have a. Right view of who God is.

We can pray with urgency, confidence and hope when trouble

is near and so we're going to dissect.

These three characteristics that factor into prayer one at a time

today. And so with that in mind, let's

dive deeper into. This prayer the 1st thing this.

Prayer teaches us is that we should pray with urgency.

We should. Pray with urgency.

And so let's turn our Bibles there to Psalm 20, verse one

through 5. Like I said earlier, this prayer

is done. It's a prayer by the people this

first section. Specifically, is a prayer done

by the people for the king, and so it's the.

The people's voice that we hear praying here in verse one

through 5 and so let's see what they're praying about.

It's deliverance in battle, verse one says.

May the Lord answer you. Talking about the king, right in

a day of. Trouble may the name of Jacob's.

God protect you. May He send you help from the

sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.

May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt

offering. May he give you.

What your heart desires and fulfill your whole.

Let us shout for joy at your victory, and lift the banner in

the name of our God, may the Lord.

Fulfill all your requests. So we set a sense a bit of

urgency in this prayer. Because this socalled day of

trouble that is at hand is a major battle against an enemy.

It's a major battle against an enemy.

But what we see here is that the top priority is to seek the Lord

urgently in prayer, and so that's why I mean by urgency and

so when the King would. Prepare to go out to battle.

The people would go to prayer to seek the Lord's blessing and

protection over the king now. Obviously, like every other

nation back then, they did have military that was trained and

prepared. To go out to battle.

But the one thing that the nation of Israel relied on more

than than that was the. Fact that they believed that

God. Himself would fight with them

and for them in the battle, and so by urgently going to.

Prayer first, it demonstrates that their faith was in that.

God would be present with them as trouble was near.

And so I think how the people of God responded by going to.

Prayer first, before the battle even started, is a great

reminder to us that our response.

To life's battles, troubled and difficult times should.

Be to seek the Lord urgently in prayer first.

But many times we like to jump right into battle and then seek.

The Lord later, right? Because we like to rely on our

own strength and. Power instead of God's.

Now here's the reality is that in life.

All of us will face a day of trouble.

All of us will face a day of trouble.

Maybe your day. Of trouble is that you've lost,

or are or will lose a loved one. Maybe you're going through.

Severe health issues or maybe a very tough financial crisis in

life. Or you've lost your job.

Whatever your day of trouble is, it's a real tough life

experience that you're going through or will go through.

And so this begs the question, who do you run to for help?

In your day of trouble, who do you run to for help in?

Your day of trouble. See, it's not about if you'll

run to something or not. That's a given.

It's about who and what you'll run to.

Maybe it's going to be. Alcohol.

Drugs or some toxic relationship or any other addiction that

promises. To help you and make you feel

better or maybe. It will be God.

But who and what will you run to?

Few months ago, while we were hanging out in our backyard, my

son Lennox. Fell off a chair and.

Hit his forehead pretty badly and started bleeding a ton.

Boys doing boys things right. And so in the moment, it was.

Very scary. And so I immediately my first

instinct was to call my wife instead of the doctor.

To tell her what had happened. Now she was super calm and

amazing and helpful and so she just helped me know what to do.

Told me what to do, which was call the doctor and head.

Straight to the ER. Now, as a parent in hindsight,

you know you're always doubting if you made the.

Right call. But in the actual moment,

there's no doubt in my heart and mind that I needed and wanted

Leah to help me in that situation, and so I

instinctively ran to her first. Now Lennox ended up being

totally okay and totally fine, but after.

All of this had happened, Lee and I strongly.

Suggested or like strongly considered just dressing him up

in. Hockey goalie gear, so that he

wouldn't get hurt as much, right?

And so one day, if you see my son looking like a hockey

goalie, you know that we said yes to that decision, right?

But here's the thing. I believe that I ran to Leah.

First, because of who I know her.

To be because of who I know her to be.

She's my wife and the mother of our children.

I know that she loves and cares for our family more than

anything. And I think similarly all of us

in this room. Have heard that God and have

some sort of intellectual knowledge that God loves.

And cares for us in our time of need.

But here's the thing. Unless.

Unless. We have a.

Bright view of who God is, a high view of who God is.

Then it won't be our first instinct to run to him first in

our in our time of need and when we need help, we're going to run

to other things that promise to help us and promise to make.

Us feel better but what's so clear and verses one through 5

of Psalm 20? Is that the people of God did

view him as one who? Answers protects, helps them,

sustains them, remembers them, accepts them, gives to them, and

fulfills them. Why would they ask him to?

Do this for the king and for them if they didn't.

Believe that he could, but here's the thing they did.

Believe that he could because they knew him.

To be their God. And so do you view God as the

one that does the same things for you?

You believe that God answers you.

Protects you, helps you, sustains you, remembers you.

Accepts you, gives to you, and fulfills.

If not, then of course it makes sense not to run to him first in

our time of need, But unless. We have a correct view, a right

view, a high view of who God is. Then we'll know.

That he is worthy of placing our faith and trust in in our time

of need. Here's the thing.

Our. View of God shapes our prayers.

Our view of God shapes our prayers.

Our view of God shapes how we address God, what we pray for

and what we pray about. And so that's why theology

matters. That's why theology matters,

guys. And we should.

Strive to study the word of God, because when we have.

A right view, a high view of who God is, then our.

Prayers will be shaped accordingly because we know

we're not lifting up prayers to an impersonal being in the

universe, hoping and wishing that our prayers would be

answered. No.

We lift up prayers to a personal God who listens and answers in

his perfect timing. And so this first section of

Psalm 20 shows us that our response to.

Life's battles, troubled and difficult times should be to

urgently seek the Lord in. Prayer first, and this only

becomes instinctive to us when we have a.

Right view of who he is, a high view of who he is as he's

revealed himself through his word.

And Psalm, 20 shows us that he's reviewed himself to be one who

does answer us. Protects us, helps us, sustains

us, remembers. US accepts us, gives us, gives

to us, and fulfills us. Amen.

Now that's the first thing the Psalm teaches us, but the second

thing the Psalm teaches us about.

Prayers that we should pray with confidence.

We should pray with confidence, and so let's keep on going

through the Psalm verse. 6 through 8 it says now I know.

That the Lord God gives victory to his anointed, He will answer

him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right

hand. Some take pride.

Some versions say put their confidence in Chariots and

others and horses, right. But we take Pride comp, put our

confidence in the name. Of the Lord our God.

They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.

And so now there's this. Slight shift to a single voice.

Here, presumably it's the king that starts praying here in

verse 6. Now it's part of.

The same prayer. It's just a new voice.

It's a different voice added to the same prayer.

And it's the King's voice and you.

Can tell that his demeanor is not an arrogant 1.

Instead it is of complete confidence.

Now, confidence in what? Well, back in that day, a

nation's prestige was found in how big the nation and its

Kingdom was right, as well as in its military power and.

Strength. And so others, Kings and

nations, and its people. Were placing their confidence in

military power and strength was a very common thing to do.

According to verse seven that says, you know, they put their

pride, put their confidence in Chariots and horses.

You see this this concept of confidence is something very

common in. Are they as well?

All of us are confident in something.

Or someone all the time. But what is it in?

Some of those are confident. In a title, Power, authority,

others in their abilities, talents, preparation others in

their own financial. Political parties.

World leaders, all of us, are confident in something or

someone, for example, you may have.

Heard the tragic story of the Titanic in 1912, especially in

light of the recent submersible incident, right?

Well, it was. It's well documented that the

Titanic's Captain Edward John Smith confidently stated that.

The Titanic was unsinkable and that even God himself could not.

Sink this ship, I'm sure Leonardo Dicaprio's fictional

character Jack Dawson in the movie Titanic would like.

To have a word with this, Captain, right?

As well with Rose for not letting him onto the door when.

Clearly there was space for him. You know, he was freezing out.

That just my critique of the movie, right?

But it was it was clear that the confidence of the Titanic's

captain was in the quality, size and design.

Of this ship, and I'm sure others confidence was in it too,

and they couldn't have imagined things going the way.

That they did, but the point is that.

All of us are confident in something or someone.

Is it your authority? And so this begs the question,

what's the foundation to your confidence?

What is the foundation to your confidence?

Is it your? Is it your talents?

Your preparation? Is it in a?

Political party or world leader? What is your confidence in?

This prayer clearly states that our confidence shouldn't be in

ourselves, in our power and our preparation or resources or

anything else in. Fact, it says that confidence in

anything else. But God will fail according to

verse 8 and then verse 7 says that although.

Others, Kings and and nations and people.

Are are confident in their military power and strength.

Israel's king and people are confident in the name.

Of the Lord their God. Amen.

Now, what's significant about the name of God?

What's so significant about it? Well, back in that day, a name

carried so much significance to it, and it also helped reveal a

person's character. And that's unlike modern times,

where names carry little to no significance at all.

You can name a baby whatever. Now I remember my mom told me

the. Story of when she asked my.

Brothers, what I should be named when I was born.

Well, back in the 80s they were into wrestling and so they

suggested that my name. Should be The Ultimate Warrior,

Ortiz. The Ultimate Warrior was a.

Wrestler, right. And so they're like, yeah, name

him Ultimate Warrior Ortiz. Right now, today.

That would be like, oh, that's such a unique name.

So cute. Can we call him Olty for short

or you know something? But thank.

God that they landed on Ricky, right?

But the name of the Lord carries so much significance because his

name is. Who he is, it's the essence of

his person and character his. Power and authority.

And God has proven generation over generation that He listens

and answers His people in. Their day of trouble.

And so, because of this, he's worthy of placing our confidence

and trust in no matter. And so we see how this ties in

so well to verse one and five. That shows that when we have a

high. View of who God is.

Our prayers are shaped. Accordingly, right?

Not only does it breed an urgency to pray to.

God in our time, in our day of trouble, right?

Like verses. One through five showed us, but

it also. Breeds confidence.

Confidence in his person and in his character.

And that's how the Psalmist David could go into battle

against Goliath with. Such confidence that he and the

nation of Israel would win. Look at First Samuel 17, 45

through 40. 7 David's addressing Goliath here and he says it says

David said to the. You come against me with a

sword, spear, and javelin. Again.

Military power, strength and weaponry, right.

But I come against you in the name of the Lord of armies, the

God of the ranks of Israel. You have defied him Today.

The Lord will hand you over to me today.

I'll strike. You down remove your head and

give the corpses of the. Philistine camp to the birds of

the sky and the wild creatures of the earth.

Then all the world will know that Israel has a God.

And this whole assembly will know that.

It is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the

battle is the Lord's. He will hand you over to us so.

David's confidence wasn't in his abilities, talents, preparation,

resources, or even Israel's military.

Power and strength it was in the name of the Lord his.

God. Amen.

And he knew that God would grant the victory because the battle.

Belongs to the Lord. So Psalm 20 teaches us where.

We should place our confidence in in prayer and in salvation.

It's not in ourselves, in our own power and resources.

It's in the name of the Lord our God.

And so that's the second thing that Psalm teaches us.

The third thing the Psalm teaches us is that we should

pray with hope. We should pray with hope.

So let's look at. Verse 9 The final verse of this

chapter says Lord give. Victory to the king Give.

Victory to the King, may he answer us on the day that we

call. And so the closing part of this

prayer shifts to a unified voice.

Between the people and the king. So they're all saying this

together now for the people of God, the day of trouble.

Is never a wasted time, despite whatever your day of trouble

looks like. You can have the hope that

victory is yours because the battle.

Belongs to the Lord. Now, it's important to note that

hope in the Bible does not mean wishful thinking.

It does not equal to wishful. Thinking, for example, all of

us. You know, we wake up hoping that

we'll have a productive day at work or?

You know, with house projects or whatever else, right?

Than kids. Right.

Kids mess that up. No, I'm kidding.

But they. But we, you know, we wish those

things would happen. But this more times than not,

you know, we realize. That things don't pan out the

way that that we had hoped. Right.

They don't work out the way that we had hoped.

This describes wishful thinking, not biblical hope.

In the Bible, hope is. Defined and viewed differently.

Hope it's complete assurance that something will be done.

Complete assurance that something will be done.

And in the context of Psalm 20, hope is a complete assurance

that victory is ours because of who God is.

And what he's done, And interestingly enough, the

following chapter, Psalm 21, serves as a response.

To to Psalm 20 after the victory.

Has been won. What this shows us is that both

of these. Psalms Psalm 20 and Psalm 21 are

connected. And what this teaches us is that

maybe you're in your day of trouble right now, today, Psalm

20, right? But you can have the hope and

confidence that victory is yours.

In the name of the Lord Psalm 21, right.

And so let's quickly take a look.

At Psalm 21 what it reads. Look what it's even titled.

It's titled The King's. Victory, right?

Verse one through seven, really Quick says.

Lord, the King finds joy in your strength.

How greatly he rejoices in your victory because the battle.

Belongs to the Lord, right? You have given him his heart's

desire and have not denied the request of his lits.

The Lord answers and listens to His people and their prayers.

Or you meet him with rich blessings.

You place a crown of pure gold on his head, He asked you for?

And you gave it to him length of days, forever and ever.

His glory is great through your victory, you.

Confirm majesty and splendor on him.

You give him blessings forever. You cheer him with joy in your

presence, for the king relies on the Lord through the faithful.

Love of the Most High. He is not shaken.

So how can the king and his people have the hope that

victory is secured? And guaranteed for them.

And how can we have that same hope that victory is?

Secured and guaranteed for us, it's because this Psalm, Psalm

20, just like all the other Psalms, points to Jesus, the

Ultimate King, who defeated all of.

His enemies Satan, sin and death.

And the Bible says that Jesus has the name above all names.

And because of this victory granted to Jesus lies the

certainty of our victory over all of life's.

Threatening dangers and do you remember when I said earlier

that the the? King and the people were tied.

Together and essentially whatever happened to the king

would happen to the people who has followers and believers of

Jesus Christ. We are tied to king.

Jesus, the Bible talks. About our union with Christ and

his life. Death and resurrection so

because. We are tied to King Jesus.

We have the victory because Jesus has.

Already won the victory for us and so.

We don't fight life's battles for a victory.

No, we fight life's battles out of a victory and complete.

Assurance that we're going to, we're going to share with

everything that Jesus has already won for us.

And so this begs the question, do you feel like you're?

Living in light of the victory you.

Have in Christ, do you feel like you're living in light of the

victory you already have? In Christ, it's already yours.

The victory is already yours. Now, this doesn't mean that all

of life is. Rainbows and unicorns, right?

And I'm just like, skipping around all day, right?

No. But it does mean that even when

you are in your day of trouble. You can have the complete hope,

complete assurance that victory is in is yours.

Because of what? Jesus has already accomplished

for. Us Amen.

And so Psalm 20 teaches us that we should pray with hope

complete. Assurance that victory has been

granted to us over our day of trouble.

And so today, church, we've seen that what shapes our prayers,

how we address God, what we pray for, what we pray about.

It's primarily based on knowing God.

We have a right view of who God is, a high view of who he.

Is then we can and we will pray with urgency, confidence and

hope in our day of trouble. So I want to give you a few

practical applications. Some of which I've already.

Alluded to and suggested throughout, but I want to

highlight them here specifically.

And so the first one is study the word of God.

Study the word of God. Our goal is to have a bigger

view of who God. Is a more beautiful view of who.

God is, and this can only be done through His word.

And so prioritize studying the word, be rooted in the word, and

so study the word of God. That's the first thing.

The second thing is let the word shape your prayers.

Let the word shape your prayers. The Bible Worm will remind us of

who God is. And what he's done for us all

throughout. Redemptive history and so base

your prayers on these truths rather than just just.

Basing them on your current circumstance and if you don't

know what to pray, pray scripture, pray.

Psalm 20 Back to God because. As we've seen, it's as

theologically rich. And wonderful of a Psalm that we

can find. And yet it is so simple.

So let the word. Shape your prayers and final one

is praise and worship. Praise and worship God.

God has already. Granted us the hope of victory

in him, so like I said. We don't fight life's battles

for a victory. We fight life battles, Adam.

Of victory. Amen.

And verse 5 shows us how we should.

Respond to the victory that. God has granted us in Him, Psalm

20 verse five says, Let us shout for joy at your victory.

And lift the banner in the name of our God should always be.

Praise and worship so we can sing, shout, rejoice, and lift

the banner in the name of our God, Because in the good and in

the bad of life we already that have the hope of victory that

Christ has. Already accomplished for us.

Amen. And here's the thing theology

will always lead to. Doxology and devotion, or in

other words, studying the word and getting to know God and

having a right view, a high view of who he is, will always lead

to. Praise and worship in a godly

life. And so, let's strive.

To get to know our God, so church as we close today.

My hope was that you would see a prayer.

Like Psalm 20 and that you would not only let it encourage you,

but also let it guide your prayer life that you.

Would see this Psalm and that it would grow a bigger view of who?

God is a more beautiful view of who God is.

And that it would affect how you pray.

To him and address him. Amen.

The sermon you've just listened to is a presentation of Church

Newtown Square. To find out more about our

church, check out Church nsq.org.

That's Ch. VR Ch. nsq.org.

You are welcome to copy and distribute this sermon to

others, as long as you do not do it for commercial purposes or

alter, transform, or build upon this talk in any way.