Victory?

Psalm 20

According to one website, 30 countries are currently experiencing some kind of warfare (www.warsintheworld.com). Perhaps believers in some of these countries are using the words of this Psalm as they live in the midst of continual conflict.

For me, however, the conflict is internal. As John, one of Jesus’ earliest followers describes, For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions … (1 John 2:16 CSB) is my adversary. Since rupturing my Achilles tendon and living with a cast on my left ankle, the enemy has changed tactics. Busyness was a constant enemy. I was overscheduled. Now, with limited mobility, I find myself battling different enemies – doubts about my worth (after all, even showering requires assistance), anxieties about my ability to serve as pastor (aren’t pastor’s supposed to be in their study 40 hours a week, and visiting all the folks in the church 40 hours a week, and visiting lost people sharing Jesus for some hours during the week, as well as leading prayer meetings, worship services, counseling people, making hospital visits…), and frustrations about just getting around (getting from my home to my study is an interesting experience).

However, the Psalmist’s prayer resonates deeply in my heart and sould:

Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.   Lord , give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.

Psalms 20:7-9 CSB