Welcome to Day 2458 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 20:6-9

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2458 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2458 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we will complete our journey through Psalm 20 by focusing on verses 6 through 9. This section of the psalm is a declaration of confidence in God’s deliverance and power. It’s a powerful conclusion to a psalm that began as a prayer for the king before battle. In these last few verses, the psalmist expresses faith that God will give victory to His anointed one. Together, we’ll explore the meaning of these verses and consider how they apply to us in our daily lives as followers of Christ. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 20:6-9 from the New Living Translation: Psalm 20:6-9 (NLT): 6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. 7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. 8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. 9 Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help. Confidence in God’s Rescue: In verse 6, we see a decisive shift in tone. The psalm began as a prayer for deliverance and protection for the king, but now the psalmist declares confidently, “Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.” There’s no longer a sense of uncertainty or pleading—there is assurance. The psalmist is confident that God will rescue His anointed one, King David, and grant him victory. This declaration of confidence is rooted in the understanding of God’s covenant relationship with His chosen people. In the Old Testament, the term “anointed” referred to someone chosen by God for a specific purpose, often a king or a priest. In this case, the anointed king is David, and the psalmist expresses faith that God will protect and deliver him because of the special relationship that God has established with him. For us today, this verse holds great meaning as well. As believers, we are “anointed” through our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Anointed One. Jesus is our King, and God has promised to rescue and deliver all who belong to Him. This confidence that the psalmist speaks of can be our confidence as well. We can know that the Lord rescues His people—He hears our cries and answers us from His holy heaven. When we face challenges and battles in life, we can rest assured that God is with us. His great power is at work to deliver us from our troubles, just as it was for King David. Whether our struggles are spiritual, emotional, or physical, God is faithful to intervene and rescue us according to His will. The True Source of Strength: In verse 7, we see one of the most well-known and profound statements in this psalm: “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” This verse draws a sharp contrast between two sources of strength. On the one hand, there are those who place their trust in earthly power and military might—in chariots and horses. In the ancient world, chariots and horses were symbols of military strength and dominance. They were the tools that powerful nations used to conquer and defend their territories. However, the psalmist points out that true strength does not come from human power or resources. Instead, the people of God boast in something far more significant: the name of the Lord. Their confidence is not in their weapons, their army, or their wealth. It is in God, who has proven Himself time and time again to be faithful and powerful beyond human understanding. This verse serves as a reminder of where our true strength lies. In our modern world, we may not rely on chariots and horses, but we often place our trust in other things—our careers, our finances, our abilities, or even in other people. But none of these things can ultimately save us or provide us with the security and peace we genuinely need. As followers of Christ, our boast—our confidence—should be in the Lord. It’s His name, His character, His power, and His promises that provide us with the strength to face whatever challenges come our way. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, as Proverbs 18:10 reminds us, and the righteous run to it and are safe. This verse calls us to examine our hearts. Where are we placing our trust? Are we relying on earthly things to bring us security, or are we trusting in the Lord? When we boast in the name of the Lord, we are declaring that He is our refuge and our strength, no matter what circumstances we may face. The Fate of Earthly Powers: Verse 8 continues the contrast that was introduced in verse 7: “Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.” The psalmist makes it clear that those who trust in their own strength—those who rely on their chariots and horses—will ultimately fail. Earthly power is temporary. No matter how strong or mighty a nation may seem, its strength is limited. Kingdoms rise and fall, and history is filled with examples of empires that seemed invincible in their time but eventually collapsed. On the other hand, those who trust in the Lord will rise up and stand firm. There’s a powerful image of stability and endurance here. While the nations that rely on their own strength will fall, God’s people will stand firm because their foundation is in Him. The psalmist is proclaiming that no matter how dire the situation may look, those who trust in the Lord will ultimately prevail. This verse is especially encouraging when we consider the trials and struggles we face in our own lives. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we encounter, whether they are external pressures from the world around us or internal battles within our own hearts. But this verse reminds us that when our trust is in the Lord, we will not be shaken. We will stand firm, not because of our own strength, but because of the strength of the One in whom we place our trust. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul encourages believers to “stand firm” in the strength of the Lord and to put on the full armor of God. This is the same message we find in Psalm 20: those who trust in the Lord will stand firm, even in the face of opposition and difficulty. A Cry for Victory: Finally, in verse 9, we see a final prayer for deliverance: “Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help.” This verse brings the psalm full circle. It begins with a prayer for God’s protection and favor on the king and ends with a cry for victory. The people are asking God to intervene on behalf of their leader, to grant him success in the battle, and to answer their collective prayers for deliverance. This closing verse is a prayer for the king and a reflection of the people’s dependence on God. They understand that victory comes from the Lord, not from their own efforts or strength. Their cry for help is a recognition that they cannot achieve success without God’s intervention. For us, this verse is a reminder to continually seek God’s help and to place our confidence in Him. Whether we are facing personal challenges or praying for the success of our leaders, we can cry out to God with the same confidence that the people of Israel had. We know that He hears us, that He is able to deliver, and that He is faithful to answer our prayers according to His will. As we face the battles and struggles of life, let us remember to lift up our prayers to the Lord, trusting that He will give us the victory we need. Victory may not always look the way we expect, but we can trust that God’s plans are always for our ultimate good and His glory. Conclusion: As we come to the end of Psalm 20, we see a beautiful picture of faith, trust, and confidence in God. The psalmist and the people of Israel placed their trust not in human strength or resources but in the name of the Lord. They prayed for their king’s success, and they believed that God would answer their prayers and deliver them. For us today, this psalm is a powerful reminder to place our trust in the Lord alone. No matter what challenges or battles we face, we can have confidence that God is with us, hears our prayers, and will give us victory according to His perfect will. Thank you for joining me on this trek through Psalm 20:6-9. I encourage you to reflect on these verses and ask God to help you trust in Him more fully. Let’s remember to boast in the name of the Lord and to stand firm in His strength. As always, keep moving forward in your pursuit of wisdom, and remember to keep trekking along the path of righteousness. Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you as you walk in His wisdom. I’m reminding you to live with purpose, follow the path of wisdom, and keep moving forward on this journey we call life. Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!