Help From the Sanctuary
Psalm 20:1-2
The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
Thought:
Trouble is assumed in this psalm, not avoided: “the day of trouble.” The comfort is not that life will be trouble-free, but that we are never alone in it. David prays that the Lord would hear, defend, send help, and strengthen.
“Help from the sanctuary” reminds us of two precious truths:
Even Jesus experienced this. In Gethsemane, the disciples grew weary and slept, but the Father heard the Son. Grace and strength came after agonizing prayer. In the same way, our Father may not remove the cup, but He will give strength to drink it.
Before we lean on the prayers of others, this psalm quietly asks us: Are we praying for ourselves? The Lord hears the cries of His children in the day of trouble. This is our privilege in Christ; no locked doors in heaven when we call upon His name.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in my day of trouble, You hear me. Thank You for the help of Your people, but even more for Your unfailing presence. Teach me to seek You first, to pour out my heart before You, and to trust that help and strength come from Your holy presence. When others cannot stay, remind me that You never leave nor forsake me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
Thought:
Trouble is assumed in this psalm, not avoided: “the day of trouble.” The comfort is not that life will be trouble-free, but that we are never alone in it. David prays that the Lord would hear, defend, send help, and strengthen.
“Help from the sanctuary” reminds us of two precious truths:
- The help of God’s people – The local church can stand with us, pray for us, and bear our burdens.
- The help of God Himself – Far deeper and more constant, the Lord Himself is our Helper. He is never drowsy, distracted, or distant. When others can stand with us only “for a moment,” God remains when everyone else must go home.
Even Jesus experienced this. In Gethsemane, the disciples grew weary and slept, but the Father heard the Son. Grace and strength came after agonizing prayer. In the same way, our Father may not remove the cup, but He will give strength to drink it.
Before we lean on the prayers of others, this psalm quietly asks us: Are we praying for ourselves? The Lord hears the cries of His children in the day of trouble. This is our privilege in Christ; no locked doors in heaven when we call upon His name.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in my day of trouble, You hear me. Thank You for the help of Your people, but even more for Your unfailing presence. Teach me to seek You first, to pour out my heart before You, and to trust that help and strength come from Your holy presence. When others cannot stay, remind me that You never leave nor forsake me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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