Kneeling to Rise Triumphant (Psa. 20)
Read Psalm 20
This psalm along with psalm 21 are twin warfare songs. This psalm we have just read was sung on the eve of battle when the Israelites would prepare themselves for war...Psalm twenty-one was sung after the battle. This psalm in dedication...the next in thanksgiving.
No one quite knows when this psalm was written. We know that it was written by David and that it was penned in anticipation of a battle. Adam Clark presumes it was written on the eve of battle when David faced off against the Ammonites and Syrians. And he could be right. It seems to fit. In this psalm David writes of people who boasted of their chariots and horses...and if you read the account of the fight David had with these people you see that the ammonites went to war against David with 33,000 troops and 32,000 chariots. And no doubt the Ammonites and Syrians boasted in their chariots...why wouldn't they...the chariot was a very impressive war machine.
Now friends, this wasn't the only battle he fought in his life. David was a man of war, throughout his life he fought many battles. And for the most part he won all the battles he faced. In fact, the battle he faced against the Ammonites that day he won. And when we look at this psalm, which he sung on the eve of battle that day, and before all other battles he and the nation found themselves in, I believe he was able to rise in victory because he knew this truth...to rise in victory we first must kneel.
Saint’s, like David we are all going to face our battles in life...and like David I believe...actually let me change that...I know that we can rise in victory! I know we can rise in victory if we remember this truth...to rise in victory we first must kneel. So, how should we kneel? Well, I believe this psalm reveals three ways we should kneel. And the first way is this...we should kneel in prayer.
1. KNEEL IN PRAYER (vv. 1-4)
David was a man who truly knew the importance of prayer. He didn’t use it as a “last resort” as some Christians use it...oh no...when we read his story in the bible, or when we read the psalms that he wrote we quickly learn that the first thing he did when he was in trouble was that he knelt in prayer. And I truly believe that he did so because he knew that when we kneel in prayer that is when God acts on our behalf.
Yes, David knew the importance of prayer and that is why he asked for the nation to pray for him as they prepared for war. As we know, David was a man of war. Throughout his life he fought countless battles. Having fought so many battles, you think that he would just rely on his own skill. Why not? People do it all the time today! People today try to do things in their own strength, in their own skill, and in their own way. But you see, David knew a very important truth...you cannot enjoy victory if you leave God out of the picture.
In this psalm we see four items that he put on his nation’s prayer list...for now we will just look at three of them. And the first item he put on their list was this...that God may answer his prayer. We see this in the opening of verse one. There the nation prays, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble”...and in the opening of verse four we hear the nation pray, “May he grant you your heart’s desire”. Now saints, it doesn’t take us that long to understand what the desire of his heart was and what his prayer would have been. It no doubt would have been that God would grant them victory over the enemy. I know this is what I would have been praying for if I was going to war. And friends, he knew the one who held the victory in his hands...and that was none other than God. Therefore, he bows his knee in prayer.
Saint’s, when we find ourselves in battle, in a fight against the enemy, do we take the time to stop and kneel in prayer, asking the Lord for victory over the battle? Well, in our text David does, but he doesn't stop there. He knew that he couldn't enjoy victory if he fought in his own power. So he asked the nation to pray that God would help, support and strengthen him as he went to war. Look down with me to verse two, there we hear the nation pray, “May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion”. David knew that it is only through God’s power that we are able to overcome the battles in our life. You see, our enemy (that is the devil) is powerful and smart. If we were to fight him in our own power we will experience defeat after defeat. That is why he tries to get us not to pray...he tries to get us to just react to the trouble in our own power. You see, Satan is a very smart and cunning person...and knows that when we pray...God steps in and he’s finished. Saint’s, victory is only found in God and is only enjoyed when we pray for him to help and strengthen us through the battle. If we don’t stop to pray...simply put...we won’t have victory!
Now saints, we may pray for the Lord to give us the victory...we may pray for the Lord to help and strengthen us...but if we are in a wrong relationship with the Lord these prayer will not be heard. That is why I personally believe that David asked the nation to pray for the third item...and that is that God may find his offerings acceptable. We see that for ourselves in verse three. There we hear them pray, “may He remember all your meal offerings and find your burnt offerings acceptable”.
Friends, there was a custom in David’s day, that before kings went out to war, they would offer up sacrifices and offerings to their god, and the acceptance of their sacrifice would assure success in battle. In this verse we see two different types of sacrifices that David presented. He presented a “meal offering” and a “burnt offering”. The meal offering or grain offering was typically given as an offering of thanksgiving and dedication. The burnt offering as we know was a sin offering.
Now, I don’t believe that David presented these sacrifices simply just because that was the custom of the day. I believe he personally presented these offerings to God because he knew the importance of being in a right relationship with the Lord before he went out to battle. It was David who said, “If I habour sin in my life the Lord will not hear me”. And friends, one thing that David wanted...especially before going out to war...was for the Lord to hear him. Therefore, as he called upon the Lord for help, strength and victory...he made sure that he was in a right standing before Him.
Friends, let me encourage you this morning, that when you find yourself in trouble, as you kneel in prayer, take time to makes sure that you are in a right relationship with Him before you ask Him for help. If you are pure before him, God will hear you...he will answer you...he will step in and help you...and he will give you victory! But if you aren’t, you will miss out on the victory that God wants to give you.
So, in order to rise in victory we must first kneel in prayer and here is the second way we must kneel...and that is...we must kneel in faith.
2. KNEEL IN FAITH (vv. 5-8)
Saint’s, when the nation knelt in prayer...they didn't kneel in fear...they knelt in faith...believing that they would experience victory! Look down with me to verse five, there we hear the nation say, “We will sing for joy over your victory and in the name of our God we will set up our banners”. These people were confident that the victory would be theirs...and after the fight was over they would plant their banners (that being their military banners) on the enemies forts and strongholds in victory. Something like what they did in World War 2 at Iwo Jima after the ally troops had won the battle. The troops raised their flag on the conquered land in victory!
Yes, the nation of Israel was confident that the victory was theirs...and so did David. We hear him say in verse six, “Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He will answer from his holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand”. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God would deliver him and the nation from their enemy and they would experience victory because of God’s saving power!
Envisioning the end of the battle David writes in verse seven, “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast (or praise) the name of the Lord, our God”. If this psalm was written on the eve of battle against the Ammonites and Syrians...the people he is referring to in the start of this verse would be them. These people boasted of their chariots and horses...and rightly so. The chariot as we know was the modern day tank of the ancient times. It was a very terrifying war machine...especially in the hands of the Syrians. They were experts at using them...and what’s worse is that they made their chariots more deadly by putting blades on the wheels. The Syrians would use these blades to cut down the troops like grass as they charged at them. The chariot for them meant strength and dominance in the battle. The chariot was usually the thing which turned the tide of the battle in their favor. No wonder why they put their trust in these war machines.
And here’s something to think about. The nation of Israel were not allowed to have great numbers of chariots and horses. They were supposed to trust God’s power in the fight. So when the Syrians looked at the nation...they thought it was going to be easy pickings...and they boasted in the power of their chariots.
But though the enemy boasted in their war machines...though they boasted of their power and presumed victory...David knew that at the end of the match the one that would be boasting would be the Israelites...and they would be boasting or praising the name of the Lord.
Even in the face of an overwhelming enemy David knelt in faith knowing that the victory would be his. Saint’s this is the outlook that we need when we encounter our battles. If we want to lose a battle quickly the best thing we can do is adopt a defeatism mentality. Go into battle thinking that we are going to lose...and guess what...we are going to lose. The French army in World War 2 learned that the hard way. Any history buff would know that there were many factors leading to the defeat of France in that war. Some factors were that they weren't prepared, they weren't trained to fight against the German tanks...but one of the top reasons for their defeat was they possessed a defeatism mentality. They thought it would be better to lose the war quickly than to tough it out over a long period until they won. And guess what happened? They lost their war! A defeatism mentality or fearful spirit is the worst thing a Christian can have when it comes to fighting the battle of this life. It will cripple us!
It is such confidence that instills courage in us and enables us to stand fast, fight, and win the battle. My Dad loves war documentaries...and he loves sharing with me some of the fights. A couple days ago, when we were going to Edmonton, my Dad shared with me about the Korean War...and a Canadian called General Daxtras. General Daxtras at this time was a major or captian. He was a very smart and courageous man. My Dad shared with me of the time when he held three hills in the face of overwhelming defeat. It goes something like this. There were three hills that the ally troops had taken. The American’s had one, the Ausies another, and we Canadians had the last one. Now, the enemy out numbered the ally troops. And because of the numbers the American’s ran away like a bunch of girly men. The Ausies became overwhelmed with the numbers that they had to retreat. All that was left were the Canadians. Now, there were two options that Daxtras had. He could retreat like the other two had done, regroup, and return again with the Ausies and Americans. This meant he would have to fight again for control of the hills...and lose many more people just to get the land they already had. Or, they could stay and hold the ground. Now they were surrounded and outnumbered at this time. However, instead of backing down, and retreating, he stayed! He said to His troops, “Every man will do his duty. We will stand and fight!”. His courage and confidence encouraged the troops. And after an intense battle...which came down to hand to hand combat and bayonets...the Canadians won. Confidence, courage...that is what enables us to stand, fight and win the battle.
Instead of being fearful, we must be confident. Like David, we must bend our knee in faith believing that with God we will win the fight...no matter how large it may be!
Now friends, this is much easier to say than to do. When we are in the midst of a battle we usually don’t feel all that courageous. When we look at the trouble we most often times see defeat. When we look at the enemy...and their boastful arrogance...we are worn down. So what made David so confident? Well, the answer is simple. He was filled with confidence because He knew the character of His God. He knew that God was a faithful God...that God would stay with Him throughout the course of the battle. He knew that God was a loving God...that God would care for Him in the midst of the battle. He knew that God was a powerful God...that God would route the enemy with the saving power of His right hand and give him victory!
Yes saints, he knew the character of His God. Do we? Do we recognize the faithfulness of our God? Do we recognize that he will be with us throughout the entire battle? Do we recognize that he has delivered us in the past and he will deliver us now and in the future?
Friends, do we recognize the love of our God? We know that a loving father will protect their children when they are in danger. We know that a loving Father will step in and bring their kids through that trouble. Well do we recognize that the love our Heavenly Father has for us is far more greater than our Dad’s love for us...and that he will care for us in the midst of the trouble? Do we recognize his special love for us and that he will bring us through to the other end safely?
Friends, do we recognize the power of our God? He created the heavens and earth with a word...what do you think he will do to our problems?
David knelt in faith confidently believing that God would give them the victory...and he did so because He knew the Character of God. Such a faith compels one to overcome the enemy and sustains us through the fight...and we can have the same view if simply we recognize the character of our God.
3. KNEEL IN COMMITMENT (vv. 9)
So friends, do you want to rise in victory when you encounter your battles in life...then kneel in prayer...kneel in faith...and finally kneel in commitment. We see this for ourselves in verse nine. There we see David kneeling in commitment as he commits the battle into the very capable hands of the Lord. There we hear him pray, “Save, O Lord; may the King answer us in the day we call”. “Save, O Lord”. David recognized that in order to enjoy the victory he prayed for, and the victory he envisioned, he had to commit the battle into God’s hands and depend on Him and His way for the victory.
How many of us here have heard from people when we are in trouble these words, “Depend upon the Lord” or “commit it into the Lord’s hands”. I know I have heard it countless times. Now people mean well when they say it...and they are giving us sound advice...but I believe that at times it has become a cliché. So much so that when we hear it we simply just shrug it off. The meaning isn't clear. So what does it mean to commit the battle into the Lord’s hands? Well, first and foremost it means that we don’t rely merely on our own wisdom to win the battle but that we pray to God for counsel on how to fight and overcome the enemy. And this is exactly what David did.
Remember that I said that David asked the nation to pray for four items...well the fourth item he asked them to pray for was that God would fulfill David’s counsel. We see that for ourselves in verse five where the nation prays, “May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your counsel”. Now what counsel are they referring to...well the counsel on how to fight the battle of course. Counsel which David sought and got from God. You see David knew that the Lord fights our battles and gives us the victory...that’s why he committed the battle into his hands; but he knew this one truth as well...God fights our battles through us. There is a part we must play...and that is why he went to the Lord for guidance on what he wanted him to do.
Friends, I know that we pray for God to deliver us from our troubles...and that we pray that God may give us the victory over them...but I wonder how many times we ask God how he would have us deal with the problem. There is a part for us to play in the battle. For David it was that he had to pick up his sword, go out to face the invading army head on, and defeat them. Now thank goodness we don’t have to do that. But there is still a part we must place. Now I can’t begin to know what the Lord would have you do in your battle besides confronting the enemy. Only God knows. And here is the wonderful thing about God...he is waiting and eager to share with us how He would want us to deal with the issue. When we go to him in prayer he will show us just what he wants us to do. How? Well, there are a couple ways that I thought of. First, by confirming it in our hearts. I think we often know what he would have us do...especially if we are in our bibles reading it...and God just confirms in our heart that that is what he wants us to do. Second, he sends people into our life to give us counsel. Godly people. People of wisdom. When we ask him what he would have us do he will counsel us.
So, to commit the fight to the Lord means that we ask God how he would have us fight the battle...and here is the second thing it means...it means that we faithfully commit ourselves to doing what the Lord requests of us.
Now this is the most difficult step to take. It is one thing to ask God what we must do in the situation...it is entirely a different thing to actually do it. To do it may cost us something. It may cost us displeasure. For David it would cost him men...but friends...the payoff sure is great. For David, when he sought the Lord for counsel and when he committed to it...well he enjoyed victory.
Friends, because the nation knelt in prayer, knelt in faith and knelt in commitment they were able to rise in victory. When David and the nation went out to face the enemy...the victory was already theirs. And we read in verse 8, “They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright”.
You know, I love this verse. The enemy that we face are often prideful...arrogant...boastful. They strut around as they knock us down...thinking they have won. The enemies that David faced were often a prideful bunch. Before the fight their heads were lifted high in arrogance...their mouths were full of boasts of the greatness of their war machines...they were standing tall strutting around presuming that victory was theirs. But, saints, that’s never a good place to find ourselves in. When we are in that position...there is only one place to go...and that is down! As Solomon wisely put it, “Pride comes before the fall”. And that is exactly what the enemy experienced. God knocks them down from their high horse and humiliates them.
Instead of being found standing in pride before and in the battle we must be found in a place of humbleness kneeling before God...for this is by far the greatest position to be in when we are in trouble...for we are in a position to be raised up by God when we are on our knees. And that is exactly what God did for the nation. David writes of his enemies “they have bowed down and fallen...oh but we...we have risen and stand upright”. Because they were found on their knees kneeling in prayer and in faith and in commitment...God stepped down from heaven and raised them up in victory!
Saint’s, throughout our life we encounter many battles...but don’t fear...we can and we will get the victory. All we must do is first kneel in prayer, kneel in faith, and kneel in commitment...then...and only then...will we rise in victory!
