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Friday Sept. 23-Psalm 20-Trust in the name of the Lord our God!

11:00 AM

 


Trust in the name of the Lord our God!



Read Psalm 20-Eph. 6:10-18

This psalm is a prayer for victory over our enemies.  The enemy is hard at work to distract us in any way he can.  He taunts the army of the living God as he did in the days of David and just as David stood strong in the Lord we can to.  David used a stone to overcome the enemy and we have God’s word to overcome him. 

God gives us victory against the flesh, the world and the devil. Our battles are His battles of light against darkness and good against evil.

He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ Deuteronomy 20:3-4



 

Psalm 20:5 says, “May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.” In verses 6–8 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” God’s people continue to say, “The Lord is my Banner,” because it is in His power that the enemies are vanquished (see also Psalm 60:4–5). The Lord is our Banner in that He is the One under whom we unite. He is our Savior. We are rescued by Him and identified in Him.

Isaiah prophesies that the “Root of Jesse” (Jesus) will stand as a banner for the peoples.  Then in that day
The nations will resort to the root of Jesse,
Who will stand as a  signal for the peoples;
And His resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10

 

Let’s pray

Abba Father, I acknowledge You as the One true God, the God of Jacob.  You are our Jehovah-Nissi, a banner over us.  You help us and support us.  You grant us our heart’s desire.  We sing for joy over Your victory in our lives.  You save Your anointed ones with the saving strength of Your right hand.  Some boast in many things in their lives but we will only boast in the You the Lord our God.  We rise up and stand before You, Our King. 

Lord, I thank You that You have given us everything we need to stand strong against the enemy of our soul.  It is You “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” and I submit myself to You as Your servant.  Help me to always understand who my enemy is and be able to clearly recognize his hand in everything.  I know You do not ever bring confusion on us, but You can confuse the enemy (I Cor. 14:32).  Whenever he tries to cause confusion in my life, I pray You will cause confusion in his camp when I pray.  I know the enemy is no match for You, and the only way he gains power is by deceiving people into believing his lies.  Keep me from all deception.

Thank you, Lord, for protecting me and those I pray for from evil people who do the enemy’ bidding.  Thank You, Jesus, that we can be delivered from “unreasonable and wicked men” (II Thess. 3:2).  Keep me from becoming fearful when I see the wicked succeeding in their terrible plans.  Enable me to rise up against the enemy in prayer.  Keep me from all sin so that I will never allow the enemy to have a wedge in my life.  I want to only do what pleases You and never do the enemy’s bidding.  I know that only You are everywhere.  The enemy is not!  Only You are all–powerful and know everything.  Neither of those is true of the enemy.  Help me to remember these things at all times.  In Jesus’ name I pray.

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against  flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18  With all prayer and petition  pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,  be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18

I encourage you to pray through the armor each day!

Selah,                                                                                

Lyn

 

 

 

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Whose Banner Are You Following? {Isaiah 8 - 11}

12:30 AM


Have you ever taken a tour and your tour guide holds up a little flag so as you walk you can locate her?  Verse 11:10 reminds me of how Jesus is who we need to look to in all areas of our lives.

So often the things of this world cloud our vision.  The car breaks down, a child gets sick, or the houseful of children and your job turn into such a routine that you can lose your focus.  You end up dreaming about a new car, or the perfect house and yard, you plan your yearly vacation.  Or you have expectations of how your children will grow up and become such and such.  The next thing you know, you’ve reached a point in your life and disillusion has set in and you are disappointed with how things have turned out.

Where was your tour guide through all of this?  Did you take off on your own route?  Now you are lost with no sense of direction.  I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I am coming to terms with not meeting some expectations in my life, and honestly, I’ve been a little disappointed.

God has been leading me through all of this and I believe that I haven’t always, in all things, allowed Jesus to govern my heart.

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When Isaiah prophesies that the Messiah that God raises from the root of Jesse would not only be the deliverer of Israel and Judah, but be His instrument to bring ALL people to Him.  We who are Gentiles were once enemies of God, cut off from a relationship with Him and cut off from His blessings.  But now, God has raised Jesus as a banner and a signal, calling all of us to run to Him and be saved.  Verse 10 says, “His resting place will be glorious.”  Isn’t that amazing?  No more striving, no more suffering, but an eternal life enjoying perfect rest in Him.

In John 3:14, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

The banner that God has raised is not like a campaign ad – with false promises and half-truths.  This is a banner of God’s unconditional love for us through His Son.  Everyone who acknowledges their need for forgiveness and believes in God’s perfect sacrifice, will be saved.  There is no distinction, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, weak or strong, anyone who runs to the banner will be saved.  By God’s wisdom and grace, Jesus now stands as the rallying cry and only hope for all men to be restored to God.  Under the banner of Jesus, people like me and you, can be called the children of God and be part of God’s kingdom.

v11,12 says, “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.  He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.”

God will also bring together Israel and Judah and remove all barriers and hostility between them.  God’s plan is to gather and restore all those who put their trust in the Jesus.  Though God’s people are scattered, He knows them by name and will make a way for them to return to Him and to enjoy Him forever.  So as we anticipate Jesus’ coming and God’s restoration of His remnant, what kind of people should we be and how should our lives look?  God is looking for a faithful remnant, those who do not compromise with the world, but hold onto Jesus and follow Him.  God rewards those who are faithful to Him even when it is difficult to do so.  Even though we face confusing and troubling times, may God help us to be faithful in seeking Him in His word and in prayer.  May God help us to be faithful in serving our families and friends.  May He help us to be faithful in encouraging our fellow believers and in the building up of our church.  May He help us to be faithful in obeying His commands and in proclaiming His name to those around us.  And let us eagerly pray for Jesus’ kingdom to come that we may be with Him and enjoy Him forever.