A Psalm for Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks

Psalm 20 came up in my reading today. I can't think of a more appropriate Psalm for those who are ready to break or be snuffed out by the distresses of life.

Ps 20
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall,but we rise up and stand firm.
9 O LORD, save the king!Answer us when we call! NIV

I want to spend at least three days on this Psalm.

First, David assumes when we are in distress we are going to call upon the Lord. Sadly, I find that sometimes I have to wallow in my pain awhile before I call upon the Lord.

Secondly, he says, Let the Name of the God of Jacob be your protection. When Samuel recounts the litany of God's protection of His people in 1 Sam 11-12, Jacob is mentioned prominently as being under the protection of God. It is important for those of us who are bruised and smoldering to remember what God has done in the past in our lives and those around us. God is the same who saved you before and He is able to save you in this time of need.

Thirdly, there is an element of spiritual warfare in our bruisings and "snuffings". David prays that God would send help from the sanctuary. This reminds me of Daniel who receives a visit from an angel (Dan 10) who has been fighting to get to him for 21 days. Even Michel, the archangel gets involved in the battle.

I must confess that I don't understand a lot about spiritual warfare, except that I know it is real and that we are often in denial. The apostle Paul says, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, powers and principalities of the world. (Eph. 6:12)

When we are bruised, God has not forgotten nor forsaken us. He is still willing to fight for us.

Tomorrow, will we ever get back on top again.