Praise you, Lord, for the knowledge that you are the manager of my life; your goodness, wisdom, grace and love are constantly at work, arranging events, filtering out evil, giving guidance, protecting and directing. Thank you for the surety that as I pray about the day, you hear, you answer, you reach down from on high and take hold of me, you draw me out of deep waters, you rescue me from my powerful enemy, from my foe who is too strong for me. You bring me forth into a spacious place. You rescue me because you delight in me. (Psalm 18:16-19)
What wonderful, rich, peace-giving, joy-providing, rest-producing Truth. Whatever comes I can praise and wait. In relation to the end of our time here, whether we leave in August or December, or some other time, it’s fine: your timing is perfect. I can trust you to work things out. Praise you, Lord, that you have all these things in hand, will guide us through the maze and cause each thing to happen at the right time. Praise be to you ahead of time because you are always good, gracious and righteous, as Psalm 20 tells us.
Psa 20:6 “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;” [A rock solid certainty. You saved Jesus, but not in the way any human would have expected. You did not save him from suffering and death, you saved him through the resurrection. And you saved us through the same act of grace. I praise you that you are saving us every day, as your anointed ones, in the battle of life. You are a shield to all those who take refuge in you.]
“he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.” [You answered David, you answered Jesus, you answer us. And your answer isn’t some minor move, it is the mighty majesty of your right hand, your most important means of ministry. It shows the depth of your commitment and attention to your anointed ones. Praise you, Lord God, that you are the Deliverer, the Rescuer, the Answerer, the Lover of your children. You are the only Trustable One!]
Psa 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses,” [Some trust in money, men of position and might. Some trust in training, technology and theological systems. Some trust in planning, persuasion and people. But all these fall far short, all are pitifully weak in comparison to the enemy, all are less than nothing in comparison to you, the Star-breather, the Earth-spinner, the Dawn-bringer, the Time-ender. Therefore we reject confidence in anything else.]
“but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” [You are the only One who is trustable to the end: you are the God of all might, the Lord of all power, the Creator of every type of creature, the Ruler of all dominions, kingdoms, might and power. No one and nothing can stand against you. And you can do no evil, only what is good and righteous. You we can trust, your name we can exalt by believing and obeying. In your name we take refuge, for you are our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer. Praise be to you.]
Psa 20:8 “They are brought to their knees and fall,” [Horses die, chariots shatter, people pass, strength subsides, we come to the end of our rope where there is no further hope in this life.]
“but we rise up and stand firm.” [Yes, in you strength endures forever, your love is everlasting, your grace goes on through eternity. When we come to the end of our rope, we can switch to your never-ending one. We will be able to advance against a troop in your help, to scale a wall in your power, to be shielded by your goodness. We will stand firm in you.]
Psa 20:9 “O LORD, save the king!” [Praise you that you have!]
“Answer us when we call!” [Every day we pray, every day you answer in your faithfulness. For this I give you praise and honor and glory, Lord. I give you exaltation, worship and thanksgiving. You are worthy of all surrender, all obedience, all submission. I bow before you, the Mighty Creator, the Powerful Sustainer, the Strong Defender. I rise up into this day to obey you in praise, in patience, in trust, in thought, word and action. Glorify yourself in my life today, O Lord God. Amen.]
