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5.09.2008

Psalm Friday

I will boast in the name of the LORD
Psalm Friday
Psalm 20

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 20 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

"Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

The word boast means to have confidence in, to trust in. To boast in God's name means to have confidence in His name. In biblical times a name represented a person's character. God's name represents His character, His attributes, His nature. To know His name is to know Him. To boast in His name is to have confidence in who He is! There is something interesting I glean from this verse. In times of battle a soldier would enter onto the battle field with his horse and chariot. The horse would go before him, leading him into the battle. The chariot encompassed his body, protecting him from the enemy. This is what I find interesting and so like God. We are daily in a battle; not a physical battle on a battle field (although sometimes we fill like it); but, a daily battle with the rulers of darkness, the enemy, Satan (Ephesians 6:12). Who goes before us? God. Who is preparing the way? God. What did God do for the children of Israel? He went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). I was reading this morning from Exodus 33 where Moses said to God (I'm paraphrasing here), "I'm not goin' anywhere, unless You go with me." I don't know about you, but I want God going before me; I want Him leading the way. I want Him preparing the path I am to travel down. Another thing about being in this daily battle, somehow, someway we've got to be protected from the enemy. Soldiers used chariots, but I'm afraid I don't have one; do you? So what do we do? We absolutely put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-20).

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:14-10

We can also be confident in the fact that the Angel of the LORD, Jesus Christ Himself, encamps around us.

“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
Psalm 34:7

He hedges us in and builds up a fence around us to protect us from the enemy and to keep us from evil (Job 1:10; Job 3:23; Job 19:8; Lamentations 3:7a).

“Have You (God) not made a hedge around him (Job), around his household, and all around that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”
Job 1:10

“He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out.”
Lamentations 3:7a

Knowing that God had has gone before me preparing the way and that He's surrounding me, keeping me protected from the enemy gives me reason to boast in my God. Boast in the Lord today for being your protector (Psalm 121:15) and for preparing the way for you (Jeremiah 29:11)


Father, today I stand and glory in You. You are worthy of all my praise. Thank You for protecting me from the enemy. Help me to rise up each and everyday and put on the armor of the Lord so that I am ready to stand and fight. May I walk down the path You have set before me with confidence because Your way is right. Amen.

2 Lovely Thoughts Shared:

Unknown said...

Wow. I need that reminder. Suit up and let God lead, and trust that He has gone before me and will bring me through the battle.

Anonymous said...

zThank you so much Jenifer for illuminating such wisdom of God's Sovereignty and sound reason for putting on the Armor of God!!!

For, I too"will boast in the Name of the Lord!" that He will go before me in the daily battles, surround me, protect me, sustain me
and bring me into victory with Him.

I did not do this Psalm Friday since I've been doing Global Day of Prayer for 10 days. I tried last week doing both and it didn't work so well. But I didn't want to miss digging in the Psalm with you and the truths you share so well.