Scripture
Give victory to our king, O LORD ! Answer our cry for help.
~Psalm 20:9, NLT
Quote
“One Almighty trumps all the mighties.”
~William Gurnall
David was an excellent leader. He had tremendous faith in God and he was fully confident that God was sovereign. Some one asked Napoleon if God was on the side of France. Napoleon answered, “God is on the side that has the heaviest artillery.” Then came Waterloo and Napoleon changed his attitude. He later quoted Thomas a Kempis, “Man proposes, but God disposes.” David did not have to have a Waterloo to learn this lesson; he knew that God rules over the affairs of all people great or small. God controls human history and destinies and He is guiding everything to an appointed end. It was David’s faith in God that gave him confidence to lead.
In spite of David’s great ability and bold confidence, he coveted the prayers of his people. David was not a perfect man but he was a praying man. Psalm 20 was used just before battle. David always prayed before every conflict but he also had his people pray. Not only did he call all his soldiers to prayer, he had Israel’s leaders and the congregation to pray also. Psalm 20 records their prayer….
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May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. {a prayer for protection}
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May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. {send you the spiritual help needed to win the battle}
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May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. {your spiritual life be in order}
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May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
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May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. {a prayer for victory and for God to get glory}
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May the LORD answer all your prayers.
The Israelites understood that a victory for their king {David} was a victory for Israel. They also understood that a defeat for their king would result in their own defeat. They would have been fools not to pray for their king. Our only king is Jesus but we do have a spiritual leader who is anointed by God and we should pray for him. We should pray for his protection, spiritual growth, wisdom, insight, confidence and for his plans to succeed. He is our chosen leader. If he succeeds, so do we. Of course, I am speaking of our PASTOR.
Wally Amos Crisswell was a young man when First Baptist Dallas came calling. He was serving the First Baptist Church of Muskogee, Oklahoma. If my math is right, he was 35 years old. He would be following Dr. George Washington Truett and these were big shoes to fill. When the pulpit committee presented young Amos to the deacons; one deacon said, “He is awfully young, what if he fails.” An older wiser man spoke us and said, “That’s our job, to see that he does not fail.” Folks, the best way to insure the success of our pastor and our church is for us to bathe our anointed leader in prayer. You can’t pray for everyone everyday but there are two people you need to pray for daily: our pastor and our president.
- My fat cells are screaming “Cookies…cookies…ice cream…cake.” Only four days in and I am already tired of green beans and turnip greens. Oh, I forgot my snack, “dill pickles and pickled okra.” I sure would like a cherry turnover from Arby’s. I’m hurting for certain!
- Great sermon from our pastor yesterday and we need to get the word out about Dr. Kelly and February 11. This man is a great story teller and Joe David didn’t mention it but his wife is one of Bob Harrington’s daughters. I worked for Bob for two weeks when I was in Seminary. It is going to be a shame if we don’t have the house full. Look, I have no influence and I can’t get anyone to come but some of you can. Invite parents, grandparents, friends–this is a once in a life time opt and no one will be upset with you for missing their normal Sunday morning routine.