BLESSED ASSURANCE
Psalm 20:6-9 NKJV
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His [a]anointed;He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.
This psalm written by David has such a positive tone to it. This psalm seems to be a blessing that David, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is pronouncing on people. Of course, we can take these pronouncements and make them personal. In the first six verses, we see God’s answer in trouble and His defense. God’s help and strength. God remembering the offerings and sacrifices made to Him. Granting our heart’s desires and fulfilling our purpose. Causing us to rejoice in His salvation and the fulfillment of our requests. As I said, this is a positive psalm.
Verse seven highlights the difference between the people of God and the world that functions without Him. Those who live outside of the reality of God put their trust in the things they can see and feel. So, in ancient battle strategies, nothing beats horses and chariots. Horses represented speed and mobility, and chariots were akin to our modern tanks. If an army was up against a cavalry, they were at a distinct disadvantage. Cavalry units were extremely effective during the Civil War and remained up until WW1. Chariots did not last quite as long in military battles, but during David’s day they were a formidable force.
But that is not where David put his trust. This is not where God’s people turn. We will remember the name of the Lord our God. We have a God, and His name represents all that He is. And all that He is, is more than enough. There is nothing wrong with having horses and chariots, but those natural forces have never stopped God. He has been winning battles for His people regardless of the weaponry in place.
David reiterates this point in verse eight. Those that put their trust in the natural power of horses and chariots have bowed down and fallen. They have been defeated. But we, those of us who trust in God, we have risen and stand upright. I love the imagery in that phrase. Bowed down and fallen versus standing tall and upright. Yeah, God.
Verse nine is David once again calling on the Lord, the King. He does not appear to be begging but rather speaking from a place of confidence as one who is fighting the Lord’s battles. David stated in verse six that he knew that the Lord saved His anointed, His commissioned ones. David was confident and assured of the Lord’s help. That is truly a blessed assurance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to develop that kind of confidence in You: the assurance of Your help and strength and answers. That trust and assurance is more powerful than the natural forces around me or against me.