Down an Unfamiliar Road

WHAT REALLY COUNTS

This Psalm continues David’s growing sense of need for God to help him in fighting off people who hated his dedicated lifestyle, and their attempt to either pull him down to their level, or cause him to waiver in his resolve to put God first in every area of his life. It came as a shock to David that a dedicated lifestyle could bring such adverse reactions from some of his own people, as well as his closest friends. But his devotion to the God who anointed him and the God he served was worth all the hardships brought on by his commitment to the God he loved. He knew that if he wanted peace in his heart and mind, he could only find it in the security of the love he had for God and God had for him.

“O LORD Eternal, I’ve been calling out to You? You’re the best source of protection; please don’t ignore my cries for help. For if You give me the cold shoulder, people will write me off as a complete failure. So with my hands extended toward Your holy throne in heaven, I plead with You respond to cries for mercy. I don’t want to end up like those with evil minds and wicked hearts who act like friends to their neighbors, while all the time looking for ways to hurt them. Let them get what they deserve for such actions; they are full of spite and should receive the same in return for what they give out. They have no interest in knowing what the LORD Eternal expects of us, nor do they care hearing about all the good things He’s done for others. I think He should put a stop to what they are doing and never let it happen again. Then I will tell others why I praise the LORD Eternal, because He’s always ready to listen to my faintest call for help. He encourages me and causes my heart to bubble over with joy. That’s why I break out in song as I worship Him. Yes, the LORD Eternal encourages all His children; He’s the One all of those who He has chosen run to when they need a true Friend. So I say to Him, ‘Let Your people prosper; let them become renown in the land; yes, treat them with love and nourish them with care as they go along their way’. ” Psalm 28:1-9

Reflection: A hardworking business man finally retired and wanted take up full-time his life-long dream of being an artist. But the years of heavy labor and arthritis had so crippled his hands and fingers he was unable to pursue his dream. Therefore, he decided to have a contest for up and coming artists and guarantee the winner his full financial support to paint the masterpieces he could now only dream of. So he rented a large auditorium and sent out invitations to all aspiring artists in the country to enter the competition. He announced a common theme for all artistes to try and interpret in their painting and that was, “Peace.” On the day of judging, along with several well-known art curators, he began walking down between the many rows of canvasses to see who portrayed “Peace” the best. At one point he stopped at the easel of a young lady to study her work. It depicted a scene high up in the Alps with untouched snow filling the valley, and a small cloud seemingly snared by the apex of the highest peak; as the sun shining through the pure air glistened off the undisturbed mountain landscape. With a smile on his face he asked the young lady, “What do you call this painting?” “Peace on the Mountain,” she replied. He walked on and after a while came to a portrait done by young man. As his eyes examined the canvass he saw a beautiful vale with knee-high grass, blossoming flowers, and trees full of fruit; several deer were drinking from a slow moving brook flowing through the lush meadow. In the background sat a beautiful vine-covered cottage with a wisp of smoke rising from the chimney. “My, my, what do you call this piece?” he asked the young man. “I call it, ‘Peace in the Valley’,” replied the young fellow with a gleam in his eyes. As he finally approached the end of the last row in the exhibition, he spotted a watercolor created by an older artist that immediately caught his startled eye. He walked over to get a closer look at the canvass just to make sure of what he was seeing. There was a portrait of a wild rushing river white with foam, roaring through a mountain gorge carrying everything in its way. The sky was pitch dark and flashes of lightening emitted from the clouds with brilliant bursts, as rain pelted down with horrendous fury pounding everything it hit with ferocity. The philanthropist was taken aback, and looking at the artist exclaimed with a frown, “The theme was ‘Peace,’ I don’t see any peace here!” The artist asked the gentleman to get nearer so he could see a scene portrayed up on the side of a sheer cliff. There he saw a limb sticking out underneath an overhang holding a nest on which a small bird sat chirping away as she calmly covered her eggs. “What in the world do you call this” the philanthropist exclaimed! The artist smiled and said softly, “Sir, I call it ‘Peace in the Time of Storm’.” Some believers only find peace when they are on the mountain top or in the tranquil valley, but David was able to find peace in the time of storm. That’s the peace the disciples experienced during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. It’s the peace that only Jesus can bring. So the next time you find yourself in a storm, remember that Jesus is in the boat with you.

BEING WHO I NEED TO BE

David knew that adversity often lay waiting just around the next corner. He faced that when he was confronted by Goliath at a young age, and then challenged later in life by another giant from Goliath’s clan named Ishbi-Benob. However, a young hero named Abishai came to his rescue and killed this monster to save David’s life. This taught David that even when facing the same challenge again he did not depend on his own abilities and strength or experience to survive, but was willing to accept God’s help whenever, wherever, and in whatever way God provided it.

“The LORD Eternal provides me the insight needed to survive, there’s no reason to fear life’s challenges. The LORD Eternal is my blessed assurance, there’s no reason to be anxious about tomorrow. When people without character come at me, intent on tearing my reputation apart—they are the ones, these manipulators, these people of ill-will who will be exposed and fail. And no matter how many of them take aim at me, I won’t give in to fear; even if they declare war against me, I will not be shaken. I’ve made one request of the LORD Eternal, and that’s all I want: that for the rest of my life I will be able to sit down in His house to witness the splendor of His power as I meditate in His presence. For I am convinced that He will always be there to shelter me during the time of storm; yes, He will have a place for me to feel safe; like putting me high up on a protective rock where I can’t be reached. That’s why I feel secure from all those around me who want to see me fail. So I will go to His house, where I will celebrate, and sing songs of praise to my LORD Eternal.” Psalm 27:1-6

Reflection: Natan Shransky, the hero of the anti-Communist resistance in Russia, who languished many years in Soviet prisons, wrote in his autobiography about his liberation. During his solitary confinement, a little booklet of the Psalms saved his sanity. Verse 10 from this Psalm proved especially sustaining: “Even if my father and my mother abandon me, the LORD Eternal will take care of me.” These words assured him that he was not alone; God was standing right beside him. We find similar stories of other men and women around the world, who, facing danger and hardships, turned to the Word of God to be their strength. But the unconditional love of an unchanging God proved to be their anchor in times of storm. Adverse circumstances, and those who cause them, may take away many things from a person, but they cannot take away hope and faith. They must either be surrendered or thrown away by the person possessing them. David decided to hold on no matter what and let God handle the rest His way.

ARE THEIR FRACTURES IN YOUR SINCERITY?

David often faced being outnumbered by his enemies both without and within. This put tremendous pressure on his conduct, beliefs, and patience to stand firm and not falter. Many times David was told that he was wrong; that he was to blame for starting the conflict, but he refused to let this dampen his spirits or cause him to doubt that he was in God’s will. In David’s mind, if you are going to say what you believe, then you need to believe what you say.

“O LORD Eternal, confirm that my actions were right because I did what I did in all honesty; I never doubted it for a second or lost my faith in Your guidance, O LORD Eternal. So go ahead and examine my reasons and motives anyway, O LORD Eternal. I’m ready to be tested because I have complete confidence in Your undying love, and will follow Your principles no matter what. I don’t hang around with dishonest people, nor do I spend time consorting with hypocrites; As a matter of fact, I detest that evil crowed and will have nothing to do with them. When I stand before Your altar, O LORD Eternal, I do so with a clear conscience. That’s why I can raise my voice to You in praise and testify about all the good things You’ve done for me. O LORD Eternal, I spend as much time as I can in Your sanctuary where I can feel Your presence and experience Your power. So don’t let me be confused with those who act evil; I don’t want to end up like people who spend their time ruining other people’s lives. They’re known for being up to no good, and are always out for what they can get by exploiting other people’s mistakes. I’ve made up my mind; I’m going to be open and honest. So be gracious and help me stay on course. I want to stand up before the congregation and give You all the glory and honor, O LORD Eternal.” Psalm 26:1-11

Reflection: Historians tell us that in ancient days when glazed pottery was shipped from one country to another by ship or caravan, they often arrived with fine cracks on the surface. Such imperfections in the porcelain dropped their value dramatically. So retailers would melt candle wax and pour it over these fractures and then polish the vase to make the fissures almost invisible. However, for their valued customers, the merchants would examine their merchandise and if found to be in perfect shape they marked them: sincerus — Latin for “sound” or “whole,” from which we get our English adverb, “sincere.” Then out on the street they were sold as sine cera – “without wax.” David wanted God to know that he was not trying to hide any cracks in his character, but neither was he pretending to be perfect. When it came to being honest with God, David did not pretend or play games. David knew that under any pressure and in the heat of the moment the wax of hypocrisy would melt and expose his real character. Let God prove us to be honest and sincere. After all, whose approval are we really seeking, man’s or God’s?

ARE YOU LISTENING

There were many times when David needed God’s guidance, from the time he faced Goliath, to running from Saul; from the treachery of Absalom, to his many skirmishes with the Philistines. He learned the hard way what happens when one does not follow God’s directions and decide to trust their own inclinations. On the other hand, he also experienced the joy and victories that came when he was obedient to God’s will. That’s why, whatever was troubling him at this point in his life, he chose to look back at the value of obedience and reaffirm his faith and trust in God his Savior.

“O LORD Eternal, I’m being totally honest with you, because You are my One True God, and I trust You with all my heart and soul not to let me down so others will laugh and make fun of me. Please don’t let anyone be disappointed who puts their trust in You; let those who cheat others be the one’s who are disappointed. O LORD Eternal, show me what to do and how to do it. As my One True God, be my guide and help me find Your purpose for my life, that’s all I ask. I’m reminded, O LORD Eternal: that Your compassion and steadfast love have been available from the beginning of time. That’s why I trust in Your steadfast love to keep my mind free from immature and rebellious thoughts; and I depend on You’re goodness, O LORD Eternal, to always be there for me when I need You most. For You are known, O LORD Eternal, for always doing what’s good and right; even pointing unbelievers in the right direction. You will always guide those willing to listen how to conduct themselves no matter what the situation. That’s why everything the LORD Eternal asks those who follow His commands to do, is based on steadfast love and honesty.” Psalm 25:1-10

Reflection: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, wife of pre-Communist China’s leader and founder of the Taiwanese nation on Formosa, once told of her mother’s custom of spending hours every day in prayer. She set aside a special room on the third floor of her house for her daily devotions. When any of her children sought advice, she’d reply, “First let me ask God about it.” No matter how long it took, she prayed until she felt God gave her an answer. She never doubted for a moment that what she told her children came from Him. Often our acts, intentions, thoughts, deeds, and plans are based on emotional and intellectual impulses. Without God’s influence in our hearts and minds, those objectives may bear no resemblance to God’s real plan for our lives. Only when we bring everything to Him for editing and approval will we know that we’re on the right road headed for the right goal. Just like David, we must not allow the pressure or ridicule of those around us to become a deterrent in us being where God wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do.

PASSING THE TEST

David wanted to thank God because He cared so much for him. So he searched to find a piece of land where he could erect a tent and then bring the abandoned Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Araunah the Jebusite wanted to give it to David, but David refused because he did not want to give God something that did not cost him anything. This was not an attempt to try and pay God back for all His goodness and kindness. Rather, it was David’s deep gratitude and thankfulness wanting to find a way to tell the LORD how much he loved and adored Him. No wonder David felt so blessed when the Ark of the Covenant finally arrived so they could celebrate having God in their midst.

“Our LORD Eternal owns everything and everyone living on earth. He created it and started it running the way it is. So who may go up to meet Him face to face? Who may walk into His holy presence? Only those with a clear conscience and pure heart; only those who are not dishonest and will tell the truth no matter what. Those are the ones the LORD Eternal blesses; yes, our One True God will personally hand them their reward. This describes the kind of people who really seek Him; those who want to be in His presence. So open the gates and make wide the sacred doors so our glorious King can come in. What glorious King am I talking about?—it’s the LORD Eternal who gallantly fights His battles; our undefeated Champion. So open the gates and make wide the sacred doors so our glorious King can come in. What glorious King am I referring to?—the LORD Eternal of heaven’s hosts; that’s the glorious King I’m talking about! ” Psalm 24:1-10

Reflection: Imagine a young man who bribes his friends to provide answers for tests in order to graduate from high school. Then upon joining the military, he lies on his application about his age and keeps the fact that he’s color-blind a secret. Once he gets into combat, his commander sends him out to man an important road block with these instructions: “If you see a red flare in the air, immediately fire a rocket propelled grenade at the first vehicle you see because it’s a suicide bomber. But if you see a green flare, then let the vehicle through because they are friendly troops. He leaves without revealing the truth about his colorblindness. When he sees a flare go off, and not being able to tell whether it was red or green, in panic he fires and murders ten of his own buddies. Later he claims that someone overpowered him, took his weapon and fired the grenade. But pictures from a flying drone reveal the lie. We may fool people now with hypocrisy and pretension, but when the glorious King comes through the gates we will be judged for our foolishness. Better to fall on our knees now then wait until He appears. By then it will be too late.

GETTING IT RIGHT

Often we know what we want to say, so we chose a word that seems mostly likely to convey our thought. However, sometimes we pick the wrong word, or use a word wrongly. Here are some examples.

Ironic: Probably one of the most misused words in the English language, ironic does not mean something funny or odd that happens or even an annoying coincidence. In literature, there are several different types of ironies. The most common definition of ironic actually means, “An occurrence that is the direct opposite of what you expected to happen.” For instance, if you were expecting snow, but it turned out to be a 75 degree day, that is ironic.

Peruse: If you think you perused that magazine in the grocery store by flipping through its pages, or you perused your notes seconds before that exam, you didn’t. Perusing doesn’t mean to skim through a text, although that’s how most people use the word. It actually means, “To read something carefully and closely.”

Instant: Thanks to instant coffee, instant pudding, and instant rice, you probably think the word instant means faster than fast. You’d be wrong about that. Instant means a specific moment in time so short that you cannot measure it in any way. It is a nanosecond frozen in time such as a photograph. Therefore, it is definitely shorter than the time it takes to make pudding.

Enormity: Just because a word sounds like another word doesn’t mean they also mean the same thing. Enormity doesn’t mean enormous, even though they look the same. Enormity means a great evil or immoral act. So when you refer to the “enormity of it all, “ you’re not citing its size, but its immense evil character.

Decimate: If you think you decimated your friend in the game of Battleship, you would only right if you destroyed just 10 percent of their ships. When you wipe out their entire fleet, you obliterate or exterminate. It’s a cool sounding word, but it only means 90% of what most people think it means.

Fortuitous: This is another one of those sneaky words that sounds a little like another word. In this case, “fortune.” Instead of meaning gaining something by being in the right place at the right time, fortuitous means by pure chance. Word to the wise, something can be fortuitous and also be bad. Running into your boss at a shopping mall when you called in sick that day might feel unlucky, but by percentages of chance it was also fortuitous.

Plethora: Thinking of that huge bowl filled with three full bags of Cool Ranch Doritos Chips as a plethora is right, but not because you have so much. Having a plethora of those delicious snack chips means that you have an excessive amount over and above what one person actually needs to eat.

Bemused: Another word that traps people because it sounds like something else. Bemused doesn’t mean something that amuses you, even though both are nearly identical in appearance. Being bemused means something puzzles or confuses you. You’re only bemused by a comedian if you don’t get his or her jokes.

Literally: Like the word “ironic,” literally is a word misused by a lot of people. Using the word as emphasis in a sentence is not correct unless what you are saying actually happened. For instance, telling your friends that you laughed so hard you literally fell out of your chair is only embarrassing if you actually did fall.

Irregardless: Irregardless doesn’t have an alternative definition because it doesn’t exist. It’s not an actual word. What you meant to say was, regardless. The two aren’t interchangeable because only one is found in the English language dictionary. To say irregardless only proves that you really don’t know the English language very well, regardless of your claims.

Disinterested: If something bores you or doesn’t keep your attention, you are uninterested. But when you are impartial or you simply don’t care about a subject, then you are disinterested. On a blind date, you might be uninterested when he talks about his Lego collection, but you might be disinterested if one of your friends thinks he’s cute, especially if he’s already gone on and on about the Lego set.

Redundant: This is one of those tricky words that we can easily get wrong. Redundant doesn’t mean repetitive. When something is redundant, it means you’ve already made that statement in another way earlier in the text. When it’s repetitive, you’re repeating yourself using the same words.

Misappropriately: As used when saying that someone acted misappropriately. There is no such word. The actual term is acting inappropriately. To appropriate means to set apart for a specific use. When that is done, then it is used appropriately. However, to take that which was set apart for a specific use and use it for something else, is to misappropriate. We can see then how this word was coined.

LOVE TO FEEL LOVED

There were times between conflicts that God gave David time to rest and be refreshed. He recalls how after a long day herding his father’s sheep over the Judean hills, he too gave the sheep a chance to catch their breath. During his hectic days running from Saul and later fighting the Philistines, David saw the same love and care given to him by his God and Savior. Therefore, David knew from experience that God had the heart of a shepherd. A heart that was caring, loving, protective and always on-call to provide all the assistance needed to keep him safe and sound.

“The LORD Eternal cares for me with a shepherd’s love, I have everything I need. He encourages me to relax and lower my stress; He sees to it that I stay away from what can upset me. He refreshes my spirit by giving me many reasons to keep on going and to honor Him by the way I live. And even when I’m going through difficult times that could destroy me, I don’t panic because He’s right by my side, and His power to defend me brings comfort. Even when things don’t look good, He gives me a reason to have hope; He makes me feel wanted; He even gives me things I never expected. I am certain, His loving-kindness and steadfast love will always sustain me on my journey, until I sit down in His presence forever.” Psalm 23:1-6

Reflection: Professor Stanley Jaki stood on a sidewalk in Scotland listening to a preacher tell the following story: A little shepherd boy and several lambs were found frozen to death after a severe snow storm up on the hills near his small Scottish village. When his body was recovered, the rescuers saw that the little lad seemed to have died holding fast to the little finger on his left hand. They had no explanation for this until they talked to his mother and she explained. She told them that this was how her small Scottish chap always recited the 23^rd Psalm, by starting with his thumb and touching each finger on his left hand. The preacher then demonstrated, that as the little fellow lay on the ground shivering from the cold he began to slowly recite his favorite Psalm: “The…Lord…is…my…shepherd” By the time he reached his little finger his tiny heart stopped just as he breathed the word “Shepherd.”

In spite of being buffeted by a sharp wind blowing cold off the North Sea, Dr. Jaki said he could not help but sense a warm feeling flood his soul and spread throughout his chilled body as he listened to this touching story. It was obvious that even though this little lad had to walk through the valley of death’s shadow, he knew his Shepherd was right there with him. I’m sure King David could empathize with that little shepherd boy, and prove that what he said in the final words of his Psalm were proven to be true once again. True shepherds do not abandon their flock or become distracted and allow predators to sneak in and devour them. That’s why each believer should start each day by looking up and saying with the Psalmist, “The Lord Eternal is my Shepherd.”

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

It is said that when Esther came into the inner court of Ahasuerus, the pagan king of the Medes and Persians, she begin to sob while quoting the first line of this psalm. Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus quoted these same lines in Aramaic, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,” while hanging on the cross. God had not really forsaken them, but they were expressing what it felt like having no God to help them. Between going out to battle and upon returning home in victory, there were some scary moments on the battlefield for King David. But they all kept their faith in a caring God who never fails.

“O God, my God, why haven’t You done anything to help me; why is it taking so long for my help to arrive; don’t you hear my gut-wrenching screams for help? My One True God, I’ve been on my knees all day—but still no reply; I stay on my knees all night—but still no answer. Aren’t You the One who sits on His throne and listens for His children to call out to Him in prayer? Aren’t You the same One our forefathers trusted unconditionally; the One they believed would help them gain their freedom. And when they cried out for help, You set them free. They absolutely trusted You, and You didn’t let them down. Please, O LORD Eternal, don’t put it off any longer; I need Your help, and I need it now in order to survive. This will protect me from their daggers and keep me away from their claws; for they are like hungry lions and wild bulls out to make my life miserable. Then I’ll let my whole family and congregation know how fantastic You are. So to my brothers and sisters I say, ‘Brag on Him! Yes, those of you who call yourselves His children, honor Him! Let everyone who claims to be His child, stand in awe of Him! For He did not pretend to love you; no, He did not make fun of those who were living in misery. Neither did He turn away as though He didn’t care; rather, when you pleaded with Him He heard your faintest cry. That’s what inspires me to stand up in front of the congregation and testify; to let those who worship Him know how much I owe Him. That way, those who are down and out, and those who are looking for His help will have an opportunity to celebrate Him. And I pray that your hearts will be lifted up forever and ever!” Psalm 22:1-5, 19-26

Reflection: In 1936, a troubled and despondent Christian teenager named Mary Stevenson, from Chester, Pennsylvania, decided to express her feelings in a poem. Here’s how she described her situation: “One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, ‘You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?’ The Lord replied, ‘The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you’.”

David surely felt this way, but in the end he realized that God saw things much differently than he did. So rather than trust in his own instincts, or give in to his fears and doubts, he threw himself at God’s feet and said, “I’m in Your hands.” Both Miss Stevenson and King David give us good examples in continuing our walk with God. So when you feel all alone, just remember, He’s closer than you think or even know.

PRAISE THE GOD WHO CARES

Whenever David came back from battles, the crowds would gather by the tens of thousands and line the roads to cheer his victories. Having lived in Egypt for over 400 years in slavery, every triumph over their enemies made the children of God rejoice with great exuberance. Each conflict they won gave them greater faith that God was on their side and would not let their enemies prevail. So the writer of the previous psalm that encouraged David as he went out to fight, now composes a song to welcome him back in triumph.

“O LORD Eternal, You supplied the strength necessary for the king to overcome the obstacles he faced, and this thrilled him; yes, the victory you gave him caused him to shout for joy. You gave him exactly what he needed and asked for, and didn’t hold anything back. This showered him with blessings; it was like putting a gold crown on his head. He asked You to help him survive and You promised him a great future. He looks better now than he did before the victory You gave him, thus making him the great and marvelous person he is. You have overwhelmed him with more blessings than he can contain; but the one thing that thrills him most is Your constant companionship. The king has confessed his absolute trust in You, O LORD Eternal, and because of Your unwavering love, O God Most High, he has a hope now that will never die. So let the strength You provided him cause people to trust in You, O LORD Eternal, so they can also sing songs about the greatness of Your powerful deeds.” Psalm 21:1-7, 13

Reflection: Football in Texas is almost a religion with cheering, screaming fans packing every football stadium. That is, except for one team. Their stands are empty, no band, no cheerleaders, no mass of parents or townsfolk wearing the school colors and waving banners and flags. They are the Tornadoes of the Gainesville State School, a fenced, maximum-security facility of the Texas Youth Commission, 75 miles north of Dallas. These young men are there because they made serious mistakes in their lives. They work hard and train like everyone else. All of their games are always away, and almost always a loss. But something changed when they played the Faith Christian School Lions down in Grapevine, Texas. The Faith coach called the Gainesville coach and asked him if it would be okay if Faith formed a “spirit” line for his team when they ran onto the field. The Gainesville coach agreed thinking it would consist of a couple of cheerleaders. Instead, there were 100 people stretching to the 40-yard line yelling, “Go Tornadoes!” Later in the locker room, the Gainesville players were confused and asked, “Why are they cheering for us, coach?” The coach replied, “Because, men, they want to encourage you. They want you to know that they care about you…that you have value.” The boys were stunned. For many, it was the first time that anyone had shown them such unconditional love. If this worked to lift the spirits of young men in prison, how much more will it encourage those believers who have stumbled and fallen, to know that believers are still rooting for them to make it all the way to victory.

A GOOD BATTLE IS A BATTLE FOR GOOD

After David brought the treasured Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and placed it in the tent he erected to keep it covered and safe, someone felt inspired to write this Battle Hymn to be sung each time the king went out to fight Israel’s enemies. No matter how big or small the battle, David never fought it alone, or for his own cause. He always wanted God on his side and desired that all the praise for victory go to his Divine King. In other words, I’m not in this for me LORD, I’m in it for You.

“May the LORD Eternal hold you tight when you’re feeling afraid; may the reputation of the One True God of Jacob be enough to keep the enemy away; may His spirit accompany you and His power give you strength; may He reward your kind and giving spirit; may He let the dreams of your heart become real goals for your life; may we shout with joy over your victories, and in the name of our One True God lift up banners of triumph; and may the LORD answer every prayer you pray. I firmly believe the LORD Eternal will help you succeed as one of His anointed; that from His heavenly throne He will respond to your need by giving you complete victory through His power. While some try to do things depending on man’s ways and methods, we invoke the authority of the LORD Eternal our One True God. The enemy will bow down awestruck and helpless, while we advance with heads held high. O LORD Eternal, grant his majesty victory as an answer to this prayer.” Psalm 20:1-9

One year Brian Fugere finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 19 minutes. The next time he ran another 26-mile marathon it took him 7 hours and 48 minutes. That’s because this time the 47-year-old Danville, California native was pushing an IV-pole around the halls of Kaiser Walnut Creek’s third-floor cancer ward as it dripped chemotherapy into his body. It was 144 laps over a period of three days in order to raise funds for sarcoma cancer research. The doctors, nurses, staff, and other patients cheered him as he cross the finish line at 10:30 a.m. I wonder how different it would be if believers cheered on their leaders after they’ve suffered setbacks and spiritual hardships, instead of sitting around in pews, at their kitchen tables, or in restaurant booths discussing the mistakes and faults they see. How much better if they started passing on notes of encouragement and support to these weakened saints and witness a transformation in their attitude and willingness to press on to victory. Although greeting cards, as we know them, didn’t exist in David’s day, when he received this psalm it must have given him courage to lead his people in the right direction with renewed strength.