The blessing of his intercession
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalms 20:7)
October 4, 2024
Dear friends,
We in Blacksburg are still under a boil-water notice in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We get our water from the New River, and there is still so much debris from that devastating storm. The river here crested some 27 feet above normal level, a rare occurrence. As I drove over the bridge at Fairlawn this morning, I saw that the level was still high. The encouraging thing is to see how many people have come together to clean up and help out.
Meanwhile, here's what I read this morning...
PSALM 20 is a beautiful picture of a king speaking blessing upon his people. In this psalm it is King David who, as he speaks blessing, is in the process of interceding for his people before God. Though he is speaking blessings to them, he is at the same time revealing his heart for them before God. Though a ruling monarch in that day might not care much for his subjects, David speaks blessing just as a priest might for the welfare and joy of the people (see Num. 6:25-27). In this situation “blessing” and “intercession” are similar.
Notice in verses 1 through 5 what David is asking God to do for the people: "May the Lord answer you... protect you... send you help... give you support... remember... regard... grant... give joy of salvation... and fulfill all your petitions". The result is joy, salvation, and confidence in God -- "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (20:7) David affirms God's protection of him as the anointed king, and the psalm closes with the people blessing the king in return (v 9).
THE INTERCESSION OF OUR KING. This psalm provides for us an insight into the intercessory ministry of our Lord Jesus, as well as his heart attitude toward his own. Jesus is the Priest-King typified by David. This was seen in the earthly life of Jesus, specifically, in the gospel of John, chapter 17, where he prays for the protection, unity, holiness, and preservation of his followers: "I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours." (John 17:9)
The Apostle Paul spoke of this, as well: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died -— more than that, who was raised -— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:31-34, italics added; cf. Heb 7:25)
GOD IS FOR US. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" What power! Our Lord intercedes for us from the position of supreme power, at the right hand of God. The Scottish preacher Robert Murray M'Cheyne wrote about the confidence this gives us: "If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me!" There is a union of thought, interest, and love between the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and the people of God.
Theologian Louis Berkhof wrote, "It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present to our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers; and that He prays for our protection against the dangers of which we are not even conscious, and against the enemies which threaten us, though we do not notice it. He is praying that our faith may not cease, and that we may come out victoriously in the end." (Berkhof, Systematic Theology)
So, no matter what we are going through, we are blessed by our King who intercedes for us, and so, we can say, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God." Have you thanked God today for our Lord's continued intercession for you?
MISCELLANEOUS.
-- "Autonomy is our futile effort to make ourselves lords when there is already a cosmic King." (Pierce Taylor Hibbs) Read “Death by Autonomy: The Most Ancient Evil”
-- "When it comes to our knowledge of God, we need to realize we’re all idiots."
-- "It is crucial to work towards a view of God and his world that is shaped by the revelation that God has given to us. Failing to do this will result in us being formed instead by the foundational assumptions of our culture, in which humanity is exalted and God is marginalized." (Chris Northcott in "Progressive vs Orthodox Christian Conceptions of Sin: A Brief Comparison")
-- A journalist wrestles with race issues.
-- Tim Challies gives a list of reasons to marry when you're young.
FINAL QUOTE.
"See where before the throne he stands,
And pours the all-prevailing prayer,
Points to his side, and lifts his hands,
And shows that I am graven there."
(Charles Wesley)
That's it for this week!
Sandy
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.