In the 10^th century B.C. David wrote this psalm. We do not know the specifics of his life at the time he wrote this psalm. But we know he had many difficulties. King Saul sought to kill him, He sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered. What other difficulties can you recall?

Psalm 20:¹To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; ²Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; ³Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. ⁴Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. ⁵We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. ⁶Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. ⁷Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. ⁹Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

David gives 9 reasons to trust God

1) The LORD hears you in the day of trouble

Hear =to listen to

What do you want the LORD to hear from you?

2)  The LORD defends you in the day of trouble

Defend = to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury

From what do you want the LORD to defend you?

3) The LORD sends you help from His sanctuary

Help =to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need

What help do you need from the LORD?

4) The LORD strengthens you

Strengthen =to make stronger

What strength do you need from the LORD?

5) the LORD remembers the sacrifices for you

Remember = to retain in the memory, to keep in mind

The LORD remembers the sacrifice Jesus gave in your place and my place!

6) The LORD accepts the offerings made for you

Accept offerings =to receive with approval

The LORD accepted the offering Jesus gave in your place and my place!

7) The LORD grant you according to your heart

Grant =to bestow or confer

What do you seek The LORD to grant you?

8) The LORD fulfill your desires you ask

Fulfill =to bring to realization

What do you ask God to bring to realization?

9) The LORD saves with the saving strength of His right hand

Saving strength =to make stronger in order to rescue or preserve

What saving strength do you want from the LORD?

Trust = reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of someone

Who do you trust? Jesus? Yourself? Others?

LORD = Jehovah, the I AM, the Covenant Keeper

What difficulty are you facing today? Will you chose to trust God?

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti