God answers and saves.

O LORD, save the king!

May he answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:9

The last phrase of this last verse of the twentieth psalm echoes the first phrase of the first verse: “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!” This psalm is a call and than also a call back to the God Who saves His people. The answer to the beginning and end call is sandwiched right in the middle of the psalm with God’s salvation in verse 6: “…he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.” So we have a prayer for God to answer our need and a confidence that His salvation will be the answer to that prayer. The rest of the psalm then tells how God answers and saves.

The structure looks like this:

I.  May God answer in trouble! (Psalm 20:1a)

     A.  His name protects. (Psalm 20:1b)

     B.  He sends help. (Psalm 20:2a)

     C.  He gives support. (Psalm 20:2b)

     D.  He remembers offerings. (Psalm 20:3a)

     E.  He regards sacrifices with favor. (Psalm 20:3b)

     F.  He grants desires. (Psalm 20:4a)

     G. He fulfills plans. (Psalm 20:4b)

II.  God’s salvations brings joy. (Psalm 20:5a)

     A. He answers our petitions. (Psalm 20:5b)

     B. He saves His anointed. (Psalm 20:6a)

     C. He answers with saving power. (Psalm 20:6b)

     D.  His people trust not in physical deliverance but in His power and reputation. (Psalm 20:7-8)

III. CONCLUSION: God answers and saves! (Psalm 20:9)

O Lord Jesus,

You answer me when I call out to You, my Savior. You see me. You know me. You answer me in all my trouble! You are my protection, help, and support. I offer all that I have and all that I am to You. You grant my desires and fulfill my plans. You are my joy. I trust not in the things of this world, but in You because You provide for me, protect me, and save me!

Amen 

Who is this?

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:11-12

Who is this man

who dared to enter this town

riding on a donkey

like David’s kingly son?

He is Jesus…

a prophet who speaks

with an authority

we have never seen.

Who is this man

who touches the outcast

heals the sick and afflicted

and lifts up the downcast?

He is Jesus…

a healer for everyone

who needs His great power.

Look at what He has done!

Who is this man

who says He will die

crucified by our leaders

yet in three days rise?

He is Jesus…

a suffering Savior Who gives

His life for our sins

so with Him we will live!

Who is this man?

He is Jesus!

hard work / generous reward

So the last will be first, and the first last.

Matthew 20:16

My worth and significance are measured by what I give in service to my Lord. Did He call me to labor in His vineyard? Then, yes, I simply serve my King with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It matters not how or when others may join me in that work. What matters most is that I give my best to the King. I will also rejoice that others may do the same.

I should never compare my level of commitment to others. There are many with greater gifts who have served longer than I have. There are many generations before me who still teach me. There are some who serve in other ways and may not have my margin or my responsibilities. I do not live to compare. Instead, I should rejoice that the Lord of the harvest knows how to utilize the unique contributions of every one of His disciples who labor in His vineyard. My focus should be gratitude. Gratitude for the grace that saved me to live for Him and serve His kingdom. Gratitude that His grace is equally marvelous for all He has called to serve Him. All of us in His harvest serve and sacrifice.

God exhibits an abundant generosity to all who serve in His vineyard… no matter the different individual investments of their time or talents. It is that generous love that reminds me to serve joyfully alongside my brothers and sisters. A generous reward will come for each of us. All of us get more than our sins deserve! Where I am now is a gift of God’s generous grace. So is where I have been, even in the hard parts of the vineyard that seemed unfruitful for a season. All of us will find amazing, generous, eternal reward in Christ and from Christ. Praise to the One Who calls us for His glory to His labor for His harvest in His kingdom!