Tag: help

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Help in Times of Trouble!

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the sanctuary And support you from Zion! . . .  Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord . . . Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call.  (Psalm 20:1-2, 7, 9, NASB)

In my walk through the Bible I came across Psalm 20, which reminded me of Israel’s war with Gaza.  King David wrote this Psalm, entitled “Prayer for Victory over Enemies.”  In addition to the obvious application to war, there is a personal one as well. 

David invokes “the God of Jacob” for help “in the day of trouble!”  Further, David implores God to send “help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion!”  He says that the ungodly will boast of the numbers of their physical assets, but “we will boast in the name of the Lord.”  Finally, King David asks, “Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call.”


Psalm 20:1 image.  Found at Jesus Calls Prayer Center https://www.facebook.com/JCBANDRA/photos/a.932221836940789/1860863634076600/?type=3. 

On a personal level, we all go through times of trouble.  We all have to rely on God.  It’s great to know that He’s right here when we need Him!  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, does indeed set us “securely on high!”  God sends us help from His sanctuary.  “But we will boast in the name of the Lord.”

Worship:  “Psalm 20,” by The Psalms Project 

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Help in Times of Trouble

And David spoke the words of this song to the Lord in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”  (2 Samuel 22:1-4,NASB)

The author of 2nd Samuel reports that King David wrote a song of thanksgiving to God for rescuing him from his enemies.  David had been chased by King Saul, who intended to kill him; he was displaced on the throne by his son Absolom, who also chased him and wanted to kill him; and finally, when David regained his throne, he survived a rebellion from another tribe seeking to displace and replace him.  This song is also repeated in Psalm 18. 
King David is truly thankful that God has delivered him from his enemies.  He uses many words that denote safety and security:  rock; fortress; deliverer; refuge; shield; horn; and stronghold.  David leaves no doubt as to Who is responsible for his well being:  “My savior, You save me from violence.”   And finally, King David tells us Who he will call on in times of trouble:  “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”

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Psalm 18:3 image.  Found at https://twitter.com/labikam/status/1603561564271005696.

God does indeed deliver us during times of trouble.  He performs all the roles that King David lists in his song.  God alone is our Rock; He’s our Fortress and our Deliverer; He is my Refuge; He is our Shield and the Horn of our Salvation; and He’s our Stronghold when trouble strikes.  God has provided salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son.  Jesus is our Salvation!  A very present help in trouble! 

Worship”I Will Call Upon the Lord,” Artist Unknown.