Psalm 20:1-5
Most agree that this Psalm is the congregation praying for King David who was going to war. The congregation prays for his success, which can only happen if God strengthens David. The king then prays (Psalm 20:6-10) being assured of God’s help.
We can learn:
B1 To pray for our national leaders. See 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and Jeremiah 29:7.
B2 The meaning of intercessory praying. This is praying for others that God will intercede in their life. See Matthew 15:22, Genesis 18:23-32, and Acts 12:5.
B3 God gives success. See John 15:5, Philippians 4:13, and Psalm 118:2.
B4 God understands success differently than we do. Success is in service, loyalty, and eternity. Compare Philippians 2:3, John 8:54, Luke 22:42-44, Matthew 6:33, Mark 10:43-45, Proverbs 16:3, James 4:10, Luke 16:10-11, and Psalm 1:1-6.
We apply:
B1 God always answers prayer. It may be “no, yes, or wait.”
B2 God always answers “yes,” if it is His will. See 1 John 5:14-15.
B3 We may think God’s “no” is disappointing, but it might be a great and wonderful thing. See Luke 22:42-44.
B4 Many times God sends someone to help, but they refuse, ignore, or some other issue. Consider those who are praying for abuse to stop, but it continues. We read of Jonah whom God sent to help Nineveh, but it refused for a while. Also see 1 Kings 20:35-43.
B5 Let us meet the needs of our spouse first, children second, believers, then non-believers. See
C1 1 Corinthians 7:3 NLT The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.
C2 Titus 3:14 GNB Our people must learn to spend their time doing good, in order to provide for real needs; they should not live useless lives.
C3 See also Titus 3:8, James 3:13, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
Prayer, Meeting needs, Answered prayer, Unanswered prayer