Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Psalm 20 (NRSV)

The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah

May he grant you your heart’s desire,
and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.

Give victory to the king, O LORD;
answer us when we call.

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Reflect

Psalm 20 is a prayer that will help us to prepare for any challenge. The first verse assures us that God is our protector. God hears our cries for help and answer them. God is always readily available for our prayers.

In verse 7, the psalmist is talking about nations boasting of their chariots and horses, which is like nations today boasting about their military power. Christians have reason to boast in the name of our Lord because when those nations collapse, we will rise and stand firm.

God is still in control after all of this time, and in the end God’s people will come out victorious. When faced with battles, whether physical or mental, we need to turn to Christ. Without Christ, nothing would be possible.

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Pray

God, be with us as we go to battle. Surround us with an awareness of your constant presence and peace and the assurance that we can cry to you for help. Let us remember that you care so much for all of your children and that no request is too small for you to hear and answer. Amen.

Go with God.