1 00:00:01,920 --> 00:00:05,640 Hello and welcome to the Church Newtown Square Podcast. 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:10,640 If we can serve you in any way, or if you'd like to learn more 3 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:15,240 about our church, family or the Acts 29 network, please visit us 4 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:23,280 at Church NS q.org. That's CHVRCHNS q.org. 5 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,240 And now let's listen in to today's teaching. 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,640 Everyone knows, either from experience or word of mouth, 7 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,160 that bedtime routines for toddlers can be a bit. 8 00:00:35,160 --> 00:00:40,760 Chaotic at times right now. Despite the chaos, Leah and I 9 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:45,360 have been trying our best to consistently include a 10 00:00:47,530 --> 00:00:51,250 devotional and prayer time at the end of every night for our 11 00:00:51,250 --> 00:00:53,690 kids. Now, specifically for my. 4 year 12 00:00:53,690 --> 00:00:56,610 old daughter Cadence. We've been intentionally 13 00:00:56,610 --> 00:00:59,410 modeling prayer for her, as well as encouraging. 14 00:00:59,610 --> 00:01:03,530 Her to pray on her own. And so it's so cute and amazing 15 00:01:03,530 --> 00:01:07,410 to see her praying to God. She'll fold her hands together 16 00:01:07,610 --> 00:01:10,570 and then she'll scrunch her nose and then close her eyes. 17 00:01:10,850 --> 00:01:13,690 And then, without fail, at some point in the prayer, she'll open 18 00:01:13,690 --> 00:01:17,450 one eye and just scan the room to see you praying with her. 19 00:01:17,690 --> 00:01:20,850 It's hilarious. I love it, but I love listening 20 00:01:20,890 --> 00:01:21,930 to her. Simple. 21 00:01:21,930 --> 00:01:25,770 Yet deep prayers, and I don't think she knows how encouraging 22 00:01:25,770 --> 00:01:28,330 they've been to me and my faith in the Lord. 23 00:01:28,490 --> 00:01:31,690 But what's also been encouraging to my faith in the Lord is our 24 00:01:31,690 --> 00:01:34,650 current sermon series through the Psalms, which are the. 25 00:01:34,650 --> 00:01:39,090 Prayers prayed by God's people as they face a variety of life 26 00:01:39,090 --> 00:01:41,980 circumstances. And so today we're going to be 27 00:01:41,980 --> 00:01:46,260 highlighting Psalm Chapter 20. Now this Psalm is. 28 00:01:46,260 --> 00:01:49,540 Usually categorized as a Royal Psalm in that it. 29 00:01:49,540 --> 00:01:52,460 Deals with the Israelite king and monarchy. 30 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:56,940 Now, back in that day, it was very common for the king not 31 00:01:56,940 --> 00:01:59,380 only to rule. Over the people, but also to 32 00:01:59,380 --> 00:02:02,030 lead them into battle, and so the king. 33 00:02:02,030 --> 00:02:05,310 Would go out to battle alongside of his people. 34 00:02:05,470 --> 00:02:08,190 Now, originally this Psalm was composed. 35 00:02:08,190 --> 00:02:13,310 To be a prayer, to be used before some particular battle 36 00:02:13,310 --> 00:02:16,230 and as we will. See, most of the Psalm is a 37 00:02:16,270 --> 00:02:20,390 prayer done by the people on behalf of the king, and so in 38 00:02:20,390 --> 00:02:24,590 the first portion of this text. We'll see that it's not even the 39 00:02:24,590 --> 00:02:27,950 king that's praying here. It's actually a prayer done. 40 00:02:27,950 --> 00:02:32,340 By the people for the king. Now, another important thing to 41 00:02:32,340 --> 00:02:37,820 note about this Psalm is that back in that day, the entire 42 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:42,020 nation essentially saw themselves and were. 43 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:44,860 Tied to the king. So they saw themselves in the 44 00:02:44,860 --> 00:02:48,980 king, and the king was the embodiment of the entire nation. 45 00:02:49,140 --> 00:02:52,780 So for example, if the king won in battle that it meant. 46 00:02:52,780 --> 00:02:56,380 That they all won, and if the king lost in battle then it 47 00:02:56,380 --> 00:02:58,060 meant. That they all lost. 48 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,400 Modern day example of this is when the. 49 00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:05,280 Eagles lost the Super Bowl this past season, and you know where 50 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:08,960 I'm going with this, right? But it was like the entire. 51 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:12,240 City of Philadelphia felt like they lost. 52 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:16,280 Now I have to admit. It was a great, fantastic first 53 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,920 half by the Eagles, but in the second-half, what happened? 54 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,600 And they just, like, choked. And Patrick Mahomes ended up 55 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:26,800 showing why he's going to be. The best to ever play the game 56 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:28,250 right now. Why? 57 00:03:28,530 --> 00:03:31,730 In case you're wondering now, why am I picking on the Eagles 58 00:03:31,730 --> 00:03:34,610 and not? Every other Philadelphia team 59 00:03:34,610 --> 00:03:36,250 that was in a championship game last. 60 00:03:36,370 --> 00:03:41,250 It's because, as a loyal fan of Washington football, I've never 61 00:03:41,250 --> 00:03:45,970 seen an easier nor better sermon illustration to use in all of my 62 00:03:45,970 --> 00:03:48,010 time of preaching than this one. Right? 63 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:50,810 Making a. Dig at the Eagles makes my 64 00:03:50,810 --> 00:03:51,650 heart. So glad. 65 00:03:51,650 --> 00:03:55,640 But you get the point. When the Eagles lost, you lost. 66 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:57,720 Now did. You actually play a down in the 67 00:03:57,720 --> 00:03:59,000 Super Bowl? No. 68 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,760 But you still see yourself as part of the team, right? 69 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,200 And so it's the same concept here, but in many aspects it's 70 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,930 on much, much greater scale and so. 71 00:04:10,090 --> 00:04:14,050 That's why the people would go to pray for help, protection and 72 00:04:14,050 --> 00:04:17,370 strength for the king. As he would go out to battle. 73 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:21,010 Because if anything bad happened to the king, it means that the 74 00:04:21,010 --> 00:04:24,810 same thing could happen to the entire nation. 75 00:04:24,810 --> 00:04:28,330 The same outcome would be for the entire nation. 76 00:04:28,530 --> 00:04:32,450 And so, as we'll see this, there's a bit of urgency in this 77 00:04:32,450 --> 00:04:34,610 prayer. Because this battle that is at 78 00:04:34,610 --> 00:04:36,930 hand is a major one, right? And so. 79 00:04:37,470 --> 00:04:42,390 Like I originally said this this Psalm Psalm 20 was originally 80 00:04:42,390 --> 00:04:44,430 composed. To be used before some. 81 00:04:44,590 --> 00:04:46,990 Particular battle, but then eventually. 82 00:04:47,670 --> 00:04:53,030 It slowly progressed to be used as a prayer before any battle, 83 00:04:53,030 --> 00:04:56,150 and then finally it ended up being. 84 00:04:56,470 --> 00:04:59,910 A prayer that could be used in the face of any threatening 85 00:05:00,270 --> 00:05:03,260 danger. And so this Psalm is rich and 86 00:05:03,260 --> 00:05:07,140 it's an amazing Psalm and so. As we dive deeper into this 87 00:05:07,140 --> 00:05:10,820 Psalm today, we're going to be discussing the importance of 88 00:05:11,020 --> 00:05:14,180 prayer and. What shapes the prayers of God's 89 00:05:14,380 --> 00:05:17,300 people? See, because prayer wasn't just 90 00:05:17,300 --> 00:05:20,100 important to the people of God back then, but it's also 91 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:23,500 important and vital. For us as the people of God 92 00:05:23,660 --> 00:05:26,100 today. And so the main thing I want all 93 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:30,460 of us walking away remembering today is that when we have a. 94 00:05:30,540 --> 00:05:35,180 Right view of who God is. We can pray with urgency, 95 00:05:35,580 --> 00:05:39,180 confidence and hope. When trouble is near when we 96 00:05:39,180 --> 00:05:41,180 have a. Right view of who God is. 97 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:45,340 We can pray with urgency, confidence and hope when trouble 98 00:05:45,340 --> 00:05:47,180 is near and so we're going to dissect. 99 00:05:47,340 --> 00:05:51,180 These three characteristics that factor into prayer one at a time 100 00:05:51,180 --> 00:05:53,180 today. And so with that in mind, let's 101 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:56,260 dive deeper into. This prayer the 1st thing this. 102 00:05:56,730 --> 00:06:00,610 Prayer teaches us is that we should pray with urgency. 103 00:06:00,890 --> 00:06:03,250 We should. Pray with urgency. 104 00:06:03,250 --> 00:06:07,370 And so let's turn our Bibles there to Psalm 20, verse one 105 00:06:07,370 --> 00:06:11,930 through 5. Like I said earlier, this prayer 106 00:06:11,930 --> 00:06:15,130 is done. It's a prayer by the people this 107 00:06:15,130 --> 00:06:17,490 first section. Specifically, is a prayer done 108 00:06:17,490 --> 00:06:19,970 by the people for the king, and so it's the. 109 00:06:20,980 --> 00:06:24,340 The people's voice that we hear praying here in verse one 110 00:06:24,380 --> 00:06:27,100 through 5 and so let's see what they're praying about. 111 00:06:27,220 --> 00:06:29,380 It's deliverance in battle, verse one says. 112 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:33,540 May the Lord answer you. Talking about the king, right in 113 00:06:33,540 --> 00:06:36,900 a day of. Trouble may the name of Jacob's. 114 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:40,700 God protect you. May He send you help from the 115 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:43,340 sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. 116 00:06:43,500 --> 00:06:47,710 May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt 117 00:06:47,710 --> 00:06:49,550 offering. May he give you. 118 00:06:49,550 --> 00:06:52,630 What your heart desires and fulfill your whole. 119 00:06:53,510 --> 00:06:56,750 Let us shout for joy at your victory, and lift the banner in 120 00:06:56,750 --> 00:06:58,630 the name of our God, may the Lord. 121 00:06:58,630 --> 00:07:03,950 Fulfill all your requests. So we set a sense a bit of 122 00:07:03,950 --> 00:07:07,590 urgency in this prayer. Because this socalled day of 123 00:07:07,590 --> 00:07:12,030 trouble that is at hand is a major battle against an enemy. 124 00:07:13,030 --> 00:07:14,910 It's a major battle against an enemy. 125 00:07:14,910 --> 00:07:19,230 But what we see here is that the top priority is to seek the Lord 126 00:07:19,510 --> 00:07:23,310 urgently in prayer, and so that's why I mean by urgency and 127 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:26,590 so when the King would. Prepare to go out to battle. 128 00:07:26,710 --> 00:07:30,670 The people would go to prayer to seek the Lord's blessing and 129 00:07:30,670 --> 00:07:34,950 protection over the king now. Obviously, like every other 130 00:07:35,110 --> 00:07:38,670 nation back then, they did have military that was trained and 131 00:07:38,670 --> 00:07:40,870 prepared. To go out to battle. 132 00:07:40,990 --> 00:07:44,110 But the one thing that the nation of Israel relied on more 133 00:07:44,110 --> 00:07:46,950 than than that was the. Fact that they believed that 134 00:07:46,950 --> 00:07:49,070 God. Himself would fight with them 135 00:07:49,230 --> 00:07:52,830 and for them in the battle, and so by urgently going to. 136 00:07:52,830 --> 00:07:56,270 Prayer first, it demonstrates that their faith was in that. 137 00:07:56,510 --> 00:08:00,310 God would be present with them as trouble was near. 138 00:08:00,630 --> 00:08:04,350 And so I think how the people of God responded by going to. 139 00:08:04,350 --> 00:08:08,950 Prayer first, before the battle even started, is a great 140 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:11,910 reminder to us that our response. 141 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:16,160 To life's battles, troubled and difficult times should. 142 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:20,040 Be to seek the Lord urgently in prayer first. 143 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:23,520 But many times we like to jump right into battle and then seek. 144 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,720 The Lord later, right? Because we like to rely on our 145 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:31,360 own strength and. Power instead of God's. 146 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,720 Now here's the reality is that in life. 147 00:08:34,799 --> 00:08:37,720 All of us will face a day of trouble. 148 00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:39,740 All of us will face a day of trouble. 149 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:42,100 Maybe your day. Of trouble is that you've lost, 150 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:46,100 or are or will lose a loved one. Maybe you're going through. 151 00:08:46,100 --> 00:08:50,980 Severe health issues or maybe a very tough financial crisis in 152 00:08:50,980 --> 00:08:53,500 life. Or you've lost your job. 153 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:57,020 Whatever your day of trouble is, it's a real tough life 154 00:08:57,020 --> 00:08:59,940 experience that you're going through or will go through. 155 00:08:59,940 --> 00:09:04,620 And so this begs the question, who do you run to for help? 156 00:09:04,820 --> 00:09:08,500 In your day of trouble, who do you run to for help in? 157 00:09:08,660 --> 00:09:14,620 Your day of trouble. See, it's not about if you'll 158 00:09:14,620 --> 00:09:16,900 run to something or not. That's a given. 159 00:09:17,140 --> 00:09:19,740 It's about who and what you'll run to. 160 00:09:20,340 --> 00:09:22,260 Maybe it's going to be. Alcohol. 161 00:09:22,460 --> 00:09:27,100 Drugs or some toxic relationship or any other addiction that 162 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:29,580 promises. To help you and make you feel 163 00:09:29,580 --> 00:09:32,420 better or maybe. It will be God. 164 00:09:33,260 --> 00:09:35,420 But who and what will you run to? 165 00:09:38,230 --> 00:09:41,510 Few months ago, while we were hanging out in our backyard, my 166 00:09:42,550 --> 00:09:45,710 son Lennox. Fell off a chair and. 167 00:09:46,070 --> 00:09:49,630 Hit his forehead pretty badly and started bleeding a ton. 168 00:09:49,830 --> 00:09:54,510 Boys doing boys things right. And so in the moment, it was. 169 00:09:54,860 --> 00:09:58,300 Very scary. And so I immediately my first 170 00:09:58,300 --> 00:10:01,300 instinct was to call my wife instead of the doctor. 171 00:10:01,420 --> 00:10:05,580 To tell her what had happened. Now she was super calm and 172 00:10:05,580 --> 00:10:10,300 amazing and helpful and so she just helped me know what to do. 173 00:10:10,380 --> 00:10:12,820 Told me what to do, which was call the doctor and head. 174 00:10:12,820 --> 00:10:18,340 Straight to the ER. Now, as a parent in hindsight, 175 00:10:18,580 --> 00:10:20,420 you know you're always doubting if you made the. 176 00:10:20,420 --> 00:10:23,020 Right call. But in the actual moment, 177 00:10:23,410 --> 00:10:27,050 there's no doubt in my heart and mind that I needed and wanted 178 00:10:27,050 --> 00:10:29,530 Leah to help me in that situation, and so I 179 00:10:29,530 --> 00:10:35,890 instinctively ran to her first. Now Lennox ended up being 180 00:10:35,890 --> 00:10:38,330 totally okay and totally fine, but after. 181 00:10:38,330 --> 00:10:41,290 All of this had happened, Lee and I strongly. 182 00:10:41,290 --> 00:10:45,090 Suggested or like strongly considered just dressing him up 183 00:10:45,130 --> 00:10:47,290 in. Hockey goalie gear, so that he 184 00:10:47,290 --> 00:10:48,810 wouldn't get hurt as much, right? 185 00:10:48,970 --> 00:10:51,410 And so one day, if you see my son looking like a hockey 186 00:10:51,410 --> 00:10:54,410 goalie, you know that we said yes to that decision, right? 187 00:10:55,530 --> 00:10:58,330 But here's the thing. I believe that I ran to Leah. 188 00:10:58,570 --> 00:11:01,850 First, because of who I know her. 189 00:11:02,130 --> 00:11:04,710 To be because of who I know her to be. 190 00:11:05,030 --> 00:11:07,510 She's my wife and the mother of our children. 191 00:11:07,710 --> 00:11:11,030 I know that she loves and cares for our family more than 192 00:11:11,030 --> 00:11:14,190 anything. And I think similarly all of us 193 00:11:14,190 --> 00:11:17,990 in this room. Have heard that God and have 194 00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:21,310 some sort of intellectual knowledge that God loves. 195 00:11:21,310 --> 00:11:23,910 And cares for us in our time of need. 196 00:11:24,070 --> 00:11:25,710 But here's the thing. Unless. 197 00:11:26,110 --> 00:11:27,430 Unless. We have a. 198 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:32,360 Bright view of who God is, a high view of who God is. 199 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:36,440 Then it won't be our first instinct to run to him first in 200 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:41,040 our in our time of need and when we need help, we're going to run 201 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:44,200 to other things that promise to help us and promise to make. 202 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:48,000 Us feel better but what's so clear and verses one through 5 203 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,440 of Psalm 20? Is that the people of God did 204 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:55,670 view him as one who? Answers protects, helps them, 205 00:11:55,790 --> 00:12:00,350 sustains them, remembers them, accepts them, gives to them, and 206 00:12:00,350 --> 00:12:02,950 fulfills them. Why would they ask him to? 207 00:12:02,950 --> 00:12:05,670 Do this for the king and for them if they didn't. 208 00:12:05,670 --> 00:12:08,830 Believe that he could, but here's the thing they did. 209 00:12:08,830 --> 00:12:10,950 Believe that he could because they knew him. 210 00:12:11,110 --> 00:12:14,670 To be their God. And so do you view God as the 211 00:12:14,670 --> 00:12:16,910 one that does the same things for you? 212 00:12:17,450 --> 00:12:19,530 You believe that God answers you. 213 00:12:19,810 --> 00:12:24,010 Protects you, helps you, sustains you, remembers you. 214 00:12:24,250 --> 00:12:27,490 Accepts you, gives to you, and fulfills. 215 00:12:28,850 --> 00:12:33,250 If not, then of course it makes sense not to run to him first in 216 00:12:33,250 --> 00:12:41,530 our time of need, But unless. We have a correct view, a right 217 00:12:41,530 --> 00:12:45,850 view, a high view of who God is. Then we'll know. 218 00:12:46,310 --> 00:12:50,750 That he is worthy of placing our faith and trust in in our time 219 00:12:51,030 --> 00:12:53,510 of need. Here's the thing. 220 00:12:53,510 --> 00:12:56,830 Our. View of God shapes our prayers. 221 00:12:57,430 --> 00:12:59,110 Our view of God shapes our prayers. 222 00:12:59,350 --> 00:13:03,270 Our view of God shapes how we address God, what we pray for 223 00:13:03,390 --> 00:13:07,070 and what we pray about. And so that's why theology 224 00:13:07,070 --> 00:13:09,230 matters. That's why theology matters, 225 00:13:09,230 --> 00:13:10,310 guys. And we should. 226 00:13:10,590 --> 00:13:14,380 Strive to study the word of God, because when we have. 227 00:13:14,460 --> 00:13:18,020 A right view, a high view of who God is, then our. 228 00:13:18,020 --> 00:13:20,700 Prayers will be shaped accordingly because we know 229 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:24,020 we're not lifting up prayers to an impersonal being in the 230 00:13:24,020 --> 00:13:27,220 universe, hoping and wishing that our prayers would be 231 00:13:27,220 --> 00:13:28,500 answered. No. 232 00:13:28,780 --> 00:13:34,740 We lift up prayers to a personal God who listens and answers in 233 00:13:34,740 --> 00:13:39,060 his perfect timing. And so this first section of 234 00:13:39,060 --> 00:13:41,300 Psalm 20 shows us that our response to. 235 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:45,860 Life's battles, troubled and difficult times should be to 236 00:13:45,860 --> 00:13:49,700 urgently seek the Lord in. Prayer first, and this only 237 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:52,100 becomes instinctive to us when we have a. 238 00:13:52,180 --> 00:13:55,460 Right view of who he is, a high view of who he is as he's 239 00:13:55,460 --> 00:13:57,140 revealed himself through his word. 240 00:13:59,430 --> 00:14:02,990 And Psalm, 20 shows us that he's reviewed himself to be one who 241 00:14:02,990 --> 00:14:07,390 does answer us. Protects us, helps us, sustains 242 00:14:07,390 --> 00:14:11,710 us, remembers. US accepts us, gives us, gives 243 00:14:11,710 --> 00:14:13,870 to us, and fulfills us. Amen. 244 00:14:14,790 --> 00:14:17,430 Now that's the first thing the Psalm teaches us, but the second 245 00:14:17,470 --> 00:14:19,510 thing the Psalm teaches us about. 246 00:14:19,510 --> 00:14:22,270 Prayers that we should pray with confidence. 247 00:14:22,470 --> 00:14:25,670 We should pray with confidence, and so let's keep on going 248 00:14:25,670 --> 00:14:30,510 through the Psalm verse. 6 through 8 it says now I know. 249 00:14:30,510 --> 00:14:34,790 That the Lord God gives victory to his anointed, He will answer 250 00:14:34,790 --> 00:14:38,870 him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right 251 00:14:38,870 --> 00:14:40,990 hand. Some take pride. 252 00:14:41,230 --> 00:14:45,110 Some versions say put their confidence in Chariots and 253 00:14:45,110 --> 00:14:49,110 others and horses, right. But we take Pride comp, put our 254 00:14:49,110 --> 00:14:53,270 confidence in the name. Of the Lord our God. 255 00:14:53,710 --> 00:14:58,030 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. 256 00:14:59,170 --> 00:15:03,090 And so now there's this. Slight shift to a single voice. 257 00:15:03,250 --> 00:15:07,210 Here, presumably it's the king that starts praying here in 258 00:15:07,210 --> 00:15:09,530 verse 6. Now it's part of. 259 00:15:09,530 --> 00:15:11,850 The same prayer. It's just a new voice. 260 00:15:11,850 --> 00:15:13,930 It's a different voice added to the same prayer. 261 00:15:14,250 --> 00:15:15,690 And it's the King's voice and you. 262 00:15:15,690 --> 00:15:18,650 Can tell that his demeanor is not an arrogant 1. 263 00:15:18,730 --> 00:15:20,930 Instead it is of complete confidence. 264 00:15:20,930 --> 00:15:24,770 Now, confidence in what? Well, back in that day, a 265 00:15:24,930 --> 00:15:28,890 nation's prestige was found in how big the nation and its 266 00:15:28,890 --> 00:15:34,330 Kingdom was right, as well as in its military power and. 267 00:15:34,650 --> 00:15:38,770 Strength. And so others, Kings and 268 00:15:38,770 --> 00:15:43,730 nations, and its people. Were placing their confidence in 269 00:15:43,730 --> 00:15:46,730 military power and strength was a very common thing to do. 270 00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:49,530 According to verse seven that says, you know, they put their 271 00:15:49,530 --> 00:15:53,090 pride, put their confidence in Chariots and horses. 272 00:15:53,490 --> 00:15:57,250 You see this this concept of confidence is something very 273 00:15:57,250 --> 00:15:59,210 common in. Are they as well? 274 00:15:59,570 --> 00:16:02,210 All of us are confident in something. 275 00:16:02,530 --> 00:16:06,490 Or someone all the time. But what is it in? 276 00:16:07,290 --> 00:16:11,650 Some of those are confident. In a title, Power, authority, 277 00:16:12,210 --> 00:16:17,130 others in their abilities, talents, preparation others in 278 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:20,690 their own financial. Political parties. 279 00:16:20,850 --> 00:16:26,130 World leaders, all of us, are confident in something or 280 00:16:26,130 --> 00:16:28,810 someone, for example, you may have. 281 00:16:28,810 --> 00:16:33,050 Heard the tragic story of the Titanic in 1912, especially in 282 00:16:33,050 --> 00:16:35,690 light of the recent submersible incident, right? 283 00:16:36,170 --> 00:16:40,370 Well, it was. It's well documented that the 284 00:16:40,770 --> 00:16:45,650 Titanic's Captain Edward John Smith confidently stated that. 285 00:16:45,770 --> 00:16:50,250 The Titanic was unsinkable and that even God himself could not. 286 00:16:50,250 --> 00:16:55,220 Sink this ship, I'm sure Leonardo Dicaprio's fictional 287 00:16:55,220 --> 00:16:58,540 character Jack Dawson in the movie Titanic would like. 288 00:16:58,540 --> 00:17:00,340 To have a word with this, Captain, right? 289 00:17:00,540 --> 00:17:03,660 As well with Rose for not letting him onto the door when. 290 00:17:03,660 --> 00:17:06,619 Clearly there was space for him. You know, he was freezing out. 291 00:17:06,619 --> 00:17:09,140 That just my critique of the movie, right? 292 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:14,260 But it was it was clear that the confidence of the Titanic's 293 00:17:14,260 --> 00:17:18,020 captain was in the quality, size and design. 294 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:21,460 Of this ship, and I'm sure others confidence was in it too, 295 00:17:21,819 --> 00:17:24,260 and they couldn't have imagined things going the way. 296 00:17:24,260 --> 00:17:26,540 That they did, but the point is that. 297 00:17:26,579 --> 00:17:30,100 All of us are confident in something or someone. 298 00:17:41,620 --> 00:17:31,860 Is it your authority? And so this begs the question, 299 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:34,940 what's the foundation to your confidence? 300 00:17:35,220 --> 00:17:38,380 What is the foundation to your confidence? 301 00:17:40,340 --> 00:17:44,500 Is it your? Is it your talents? 302 00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:47,780 Your preparation? Is it in a? 303 00:17:48,020 --> 00:17:53,460 Political party or world leader? What is your confidence in? 304 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:58,180 This prayer clearly states that our confidence shouldn't be in 305 00:17:58,180 --> 00:18:02,460 ourselves, in our power and our preparation or resources or 306 00:18:02,460 --> 00:18:06,180 anything else in. Fact, it says that confidence in 307 00:18:06,180 --> 00:18:09,980 anything else. But God will fail according to 308 00:18:09,980 --> 00:18:13,900 verse 8 and then verse 7 says that although. 309 00:18:14,310 --> 00:18:17,230 Others, Kings and and nations and people. 310 00:18:17,310 --> 00:18:21,990 Are are confident in their military power and strength. 311 00:18:22,310 --> 00:18:26,350 Israel's king and people are confident in the name. 312 00:18:26,510 --> 00:18:28,950 Of the Lord their God. Amen. 313 00:18:30,670 --> 00:18:33,350 Now, what's significant about the name of God? 314 00:18:33,430 --> 00:18:37,710 What's so significant about it? Well, back in that day, a name 315 00:18:37,710 --> 00:18:41,110 carried so much significance to it, and it also helped reveal a 316 00:18:41,110 --> 00:18:44,230 person's character. And that's unlike modern times, 317 00:18:44,230 --> 00:18:48,710 where names carry little to no significance at all. 318 00:18:48,710 --> 00:18:53,750 You can name a baby whatever. Now I remember my mom told me 319 00:18:53,750 --> 00:18:56,750 the. Story of when she asked my. 320 00:18:56,750 --> 00:18:59,870 Brothers, what I should be named when I was born. 321 00:19:00,110 --> 00:19:03,990 Well, back in the 80s they were into wrestling and so they 322 00:19:03,990 --> 00:19:07,470 suggested that my name. Should be The Ultimate Warrior, 323 00:19:07,470 --> 00:19:09,690 Ortiz. The Ultimate Warrior was a. 324 00:19:09,690 --> 00:19:11,890 Wrestler, right. And so they're like, yeah, name 325 00:19:11,890 --> 00:19:15,050 him Ultimate Warrior Ortiz. Right now, today. 326 00:19:15,210 --> 00:19:17,970 That would be like, oh, that's such a unique name. 327 00:19:18,010 --> 00:19:20,610 So cute. Can we call him Olty for short 328 00:19:20,690 --> 00:19:22,330 or you know something? But thank. 329 00:19:22,530 --> 00:19:25,090 God that they landed on Ricky, right? 330 00:19:26,970 --> 00:19:30,850 But the name of the Lord carries so much significance because his 331 00:19:30,850 --> 00:19:33,890 name is. Who he is, it's the essence of 332 00:19:33,890 --> 00:19:37,930 his person and character his. Power and authority. 333 00:19:38,770 --> 00:19:44,290 And God has proven generation over generation that He listens 334 00:19:44,290 --> 00:19:47,570 and answers His people in. Their day of trouble. 335 00:19:47,890 --> 00:19:51,570 And so, because of this, he's worthy of placing our confidence 336 00:19:51,610 --> 00:19:57,460 and trust in no matter. And so we see how this ties in 337 00:19:57,460 --> 00:20:00,460 so well to verse one and five. That shows that when we have a 338 00:20:00,580 --> 00:20:02,100 high. View of who God is. 339 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:04,460 Our prayers are shaped. Accordingly, right? 340 00:20:04,660 --> 00:20:07,500 Not only does it breed an urgency to pray to. 341 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:10,780 God in our time, in our day of trouble, right? 342 00:20:10,780 --> 00:20:12,780 Like verses. One through five showed us, but 343 00:20:12,780 --> 00:20:15,060 it also. Breeds confidence. 344 00:20:15,180 --> 00:20:18,340 Confidence in his person and in his character. 345 00:20:19,020 --> 00:20:21,580 And that's how the Psalmist David could go into battle 346 00:20:21,580 --> 00:20:25,710 against Goliath with. Such confidence that he and the 347 00:20:25,710 --> 00:20:30,310 nation of Israel would win. Look at First Samuel 17, 45 348 00:20:30,310 --> 00:20:35,550 through 40. 7 David's addressing Goliath here and he says it says 349 00:20:35,550 --> 00:20:38,700 David said to the. You come against me with a 350 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:41,340 sword, spear, and javelin. Again. 351 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:43,980 Military power, strength and weaponry, right. 352 00:20:44,140 --> 00:20:48,220 But I come against you in the name of the Lord of armies, the 353 00:20:48,220 --> 00:20:51,820 God of the ranks of Israel. You have defied him Today. 354 00:20:51,820 --> 00:20:54,740 The Lord will hand you over to me today. 355 00:20:54,740 --> 00:20:57,140 I'll strike. You down remove your head and 356 00:20:57,140 --> 00:20:59,620 give the corpses of the. Philistine camp to the birds of 357 00:20:59,620 --> 00:21:01,580 the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. 358 00:21:01,820 --> 00:21:05,380 Then all the world will know that Israel has a God. 359 00:21:05,580 --> 00:21:07,300 And this whole assembly will know that. 360 00:21:07,380 --> 00:21:11,380 It is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the 361 00:21:11,380 --> 00:21:16,980 battle is the Lord's. He will hand you over to us so. 362 00:21:16,980 --> 00:21:22,020 David's confidence wasn't in his abilities, talents, preparation, 363 00:21:22,020 --> 00:21:25,060 resources, or even Israel's military. 364 00:21:25,060 --> 00:21:28,700 Power and strength it was in the name of the Lord his. 365 00:21:28,820 --> 00:21:29,740 God. Amen. 366 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:35,260 And he knew that God would grant the victory because the battle. 367 00:21:35,260 --> 00:21:39,080 Belongs to the Lord. So Psalm 20 teaches us where. 368 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,680 We should place our confidence in in prayer and in salvation. 369 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:46,840 It's not in ourselves, in our own power and resources. 370 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:50,000 It's in the name of the Lord our God. 371 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,560 And so that's the second thing that Psalm teaches us. 372 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,560 The third thing the Psalm teaches us is that we should 373 00:21:56,560 --> 00:21:59,680 pray with hope. We should pray with hope. 374 00:21:59,960 --> 00:22:03,200 So let's look at. Verse 9 The final verse of this 375 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:08,390 chapter says Lord give. Victory to the king Give. 376 00:22:08,390 --> 00:22:13,190 Victory to the King, may he answer us on the day that we 377 00:22:13,190 --> 00:22:15,630 call. And so the closing part of this 378 00:22:15,630 --> 00:22:18,070 prayer shifts to a unified voice. 379 00:22:18,350 --> 00:22:22,350 Between the people and the king. So they're all saying this 380 00:22:22,350 --> 00:22:28,390 together now for the people of God, the day of trouble. 381 00:22:28,750 --> 00:22:32,870 Is never a wasted time, despite whatever your day of trouble 382 00:22:32,870 --> 00:22:35,460 looks like. You can have the hope that 383 00:22:35,820 --> 00:22:37,980 victory is yours because the battle. 384 00:22:38,100 --> 00:22:41,740 Belongs to the Lord. Now, it's important to note that 385 00:22:42,140 --> 00:22:46,540 hope in the Bible does not mean wishful thinking. 386 00:22:46,660 --> 00:22:50,420 It does not equal to wishful. Thinking, for example, all of 387 00:22:50,420 --> 00:22:53,860 us. You know, we wake up hoping that 388 00:22:53,860 --> 00:22:56,460 we'll have a productive day at work or? 389 00:22:57,220 --> 00:22:59,900 You know, with house projects or whatever else, right? 390 00:23:00,930 --> 00:23:02,130 Than kids. Right. 391 00:23:03,410 --> 00:23:04,930 Kids mess that up. No, I'm kidding. 392 00:23:05,490 --> 00:23:09,290 But they. But we, you know, we wish those 393 00:23:09,290 --> 00:23:12,130 things would happen. But this more times than not, 394 00:23:12,290 --> 00:23:15,130 you know, we realize. That things don't pan out the 395 00:23:15,130 --> 00:23:16,970 way that that we had hoped. Right. 396 00:23:17,290 --> 00:23:19,290 They don't work out the way that we had hoped. 397 00:23:20,130 --> 00:23:23,370 This describes wishful thinking, not biblical hope. 398 00:23:23,610 --> 00:23:28,010 In the Bible, hope is. Defined and viewed differently. 399 00:23:29,090 --> 00:23:31,770 Hope it's complete assurance that something will be done. 400 00:23:31,930 --> 00:23:34,010 Complete assurance that something will be done. 401 00:23:34,210 --> 00:23:37,170 And in the context of Psalm 20, hope is a complete assurance 402 00:23:37,170 --> 00:23:39,610 that victory is ours because of who God is. 403 00:23:39,730 --> 00:23:42,970 And what he's done, And interestingly enough, the 404 00:23:42,970 --> 00:23:47,050 following chapter, Psalm 21, serves as a response. 405 00:23:47,050 --> 00:23:50,770 To to Psalm 20 after the victory. 406 00:23:50,770 --> 00:23:54,050 Has been won. What this shows us is that both 407 00:23:54,050 --> 00:23:56,930 of these. Psalms Psalm 20 and Psalm 21 are 408 00:23:56,930 --> 00:23:59,400 connected. And what this teaches us is that 409 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:04,400 maybe you're in your day of trouble right now, today, Psalm 410 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:07,960 20, right? But you can have the hope and 411 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:10,560 confidence that victory is yours. 412 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:13,320 In the name of the Lord Psalm 21, right. 413 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:14,800 And so let's quickly take a look. 414 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:19,190 At Psalm 21 what it reads. Look what it's even titled. 415 00:24:19,190 --> 00:24:21,590 It's titled The King's. Victory, right? 416 00:24:21,950 --> 00:24:24,150 Verse one through seven, really Quick says. 417 00:24:24,150 --> 00:24:26,750 Lord, the King finds joy in your strength. 418 00:24:26,910 --> 00:24:30,870 How greatly he rejoices in your victory because the battle. 419 00:24:30,870 --> 00:24:34,470 Belongs to the Lord, right? You have given him his heart's 420 00:24:34,470 --> 00:24:38,070 desire and have not denied the request of his lits. 421 00:24:38,790 --> 00:24:42,790 The Lord answers and listens to His people and their prayers. 422 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,000 Or you meet him with rich blessings. 423 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:48,560 You place a crown of pure gold on his head, He asked you for? 424 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:52,200 And you gave it to him length of days, forever and ever. 425 00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:55,120 His glory is great through your victory, you. 426 00:24:55,120 --> 00:24:57,280 Confirm majesty and splendor on him. 427 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:00,760 You give him blessings forever. You cheer him with joy in your 428 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:04,560 presence, for the king relies on the Lord through the faithful. 429 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,720 Love of the Most High. He is not shaken. 430 00:25:08,760 --> 00:25:11,560 So how can the king and his people have the hope that 431 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,200 victory is secured? And guaranteed for them. 432 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:17,960 And how can we have that same hope that victory is? 433 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:21,360 Secured and guaranteed for us, it's because this Psalm, Psalm 434 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:25,560 20, just like all the other Psalms, points to Jesus, the 435 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:27,720 Ultimate King, who defeated all of. 436 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:30,800 His enemies Satan, sin and death. 437 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,760 And the Bible says that Jesus has the name above all names. 438 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:41,200 And because of this victory granted to Jesus lies the 439 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:44,680 certainty of our victory over all of life's. 440 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:49,520 Threatening dangers and do you remember when I said earlier 441 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,520 that the the? King and the people were tied. 442 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,840 Together and essentially whatever happened to the king 443 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:59,000 would happen to the people who has followers and believers of 444 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:01,680 Jesus Christ. We are tied to king. 445 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,920 Jesus, the Bible talks. About our union with Christ and 446 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:09,920 his life. Death and resurrection so 447 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:12,000 because. We are tied to King Jesus. 448 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:14,320 We have the victory because Jesus has. 449 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:18,320 Already won the victory for us and so. 450 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:22,560 We don't fight life's battles for a victory. 451 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:28,000 No, we fight life's battles out of a victory and complete. 452 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,360 Assurance that we're going to, we're going to share with 453 00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:33,400 everything that Jesus has already won for us. 454 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:36,830 And so this begs the question, do you feel like you're? 455 00:26:36,830 --> 00:26:38,710 Living in light of the victory you. 456 00:26:38,710 --> 00:26:42,710 Have in Christ, do you feel like you're living in light of the 457 00:26:42,710 --> 00:26:48,350 victory you already have? In Christ, it's already yours. 458 00:26:48,350 --> 00:26:52,430 The victory is already yours. Now, this doesn't mean that all 459 00:26:52,430 --> 00:26:54,910 of life is. Rainbows and unicorns, right? 460 00:26:54,910 --> 00:26:57,270 And I'm just like, skipping around all day, right? 461 00:26:57,510 --> 00:27:01,200 No. But it does mean that even when 462 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:05,880 you are in your day of trouble. You can have the complete hope, 463 00:27:06,120 --> 00:27:09,840 complete assurance that victory is in is yours. 464 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:12,360 Because of what? Jesus has already accomplished 465 00:27:12,560 --> 00:27:13,880 for. Us Amen. 466 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,880 And so Psalm 20 teaches us that we should pray with hope 467 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:22,800 complete. Assurance that victory has been 468 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,280 granted to us over our day of trouble. 469 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:31,360 And so today, church, we've seen that what shapes our prayers, 470 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,040 how we address God, what we pray for, what we pray about. 471 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,200 It's primarily based on knowing God. 472 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:43,920 We have a right view of who God is, a high view of who he. 473 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:50,160 Is then we can and we will pray with urgency, confidence and 474 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:53,320 hope in our day of trouble. So I want to give you a few 475 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,000 practical applications. Some of which I've already. 476 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:58,520 Alluded to and suggested throughout, but I want to 477 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:01,000 highlight them here specifically. 478 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:03,560 And so the first one is study the word of God. 479 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,440 Study the word of God. Our goal is to have a bigger 480 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,480 view of who God. Is a more beautiful view of who. 481 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:13,840 God is, and this can only be done through His word. 482 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:19,240 And so prioritize studying the word, be rooted in the word, and 483 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:21,930 so study the word of God. That's the first thing. 484 00:28:21,930 --> 00:28:24,450 The second thing is let the word shape your prayers. 485 00:28:25,050 --> 00:28:28,570 Let the word shape your prayers. The Bible Worm will remind us of 486 00:28:28,690 --> 00:28:31,290 who God is. And what he's done for us all 487 00:28:31,290 --> 00:28:34,090 throughout. Redemptive history and so base 488 00:28:34,090 --> 00:28:37,330 your prayers on these truths rather than just just. 489 00:28:37,330 --> 00:28:41,010 Basing them on your current circumstance and if you don't 490 00:28:41,010 --> 00:28:43,730 know what to pray, pray scripture, pray. 491 00:28:43,730 --> 00:28:47,330 Psalm 20 Back to God because. As we've seen, it's as 492 00:28:47,330 --> 00:28:51,070 theologically rich. And wonderful of a Psalm that we 493 00:28:51,070 --> 00:28:53,310 can find. And yet it is so simple. 494 00:28:54,230 --> 00:28:57,030 So let the word. Shape your prayers and final one 495 00:28:57,990 --> 00:29:01,150 is praise and worship. Praise and worship God. 496 00:29:01,230 --> 00:29:05,110 God has already. Granted us the hope of victory 497 00:29:05,110 --> 00:29:09,390 in him, so like I said. We don't fight life's battles 498 00:29:09,550 --> 00:29:12,470 for a victory. We fight life battles, Adam. 499 00:29:12,670 --> 00:29:13,790 Of victory. Amen. 500 00:29:13,950 --> 00:29:16,110 And verse 5 shows us how we should. 501 00:29:16,110 --> 00:29:22,120 Respond to the victory that. God has granted us in Him, Psalm 502 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:25,920 20 verse five says, Let us shout for joy at your victory. 503 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:31,120 And lift the banner in the name of our God should always be. 504 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:35,200 Praise and worship so we can sing, shout, rejoice, and lift 505 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:38,360 the banner in the name of our God, Because in the good and in 506 00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:42,760 the bad of life we already that have the hope of victory that 507 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:46,000 Christ has. Already accomplished for us. 508 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:50,310 Amen. And here's the thing theology 509 00:29:50,310 --> 00:29:53,710 will always lead to. Doxology and devotion, or in 510 00:29:53,710 --> 00:29:57,150 other words, studying the word and getting to know God and 511 00:29:57,990 --> 00:30:01,150 having a right view, a high view of who he is, will always lead 512 00:30:01,150 --> 00:30:03,670 to. Praise and worship in a godly 513 00:30:03,670 --> 00:30:05,270 life. And so, let's strive. 514 00:30:05,470 --> 00:30:09,150 To get to know our God, so church as we close today. 515 00:30:09,550 --> 00:30:15,390 My hope was that you would see a prayer. 516 00:30:15,930 --> 00:30:19,130 Like Psalm 20 and that you would not only let it encourage you, 517 00:30:19,130 --> 00:30:22,610 but also let it guide your prayer life that you. 518 00:30:22,610 --> 00:30:27,530 Would see this Psalm and that it would grow a bigger view of who? 519 00:30:27,530 --> 00:30:30,650 God is a more beautiful view of who God is. 520 00:30:31,090 --> 00:30:34,090 And that it would affect how you pray. 521 00:30:34,090 --> 00:30:35,650 To him and address him. Amen. 522 00:30:36,770 --> 00:30:40,530 The sermon you've just listened to is a presentation of Church 523 00:30:40,530 --> 00:30:43,440 Newtown Square. To find out more about our 524 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,840 church, check out Church nsq.org. 525 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:52,240 That's Ch. VR Ch. nsq.org. 526 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:55,280 You are welcome to copy and distribute this sermon to 527 00:30:55,320 --> 00:30:59,120 others, as long as you do not do it for commercial purposes or 528 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:02,680 alter, transform, or build upon this talk in any way.