THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - August 16, 2014 – Day 16 - Psalm 21

Yesterday I looked at psalm 20 which historically speaking is a prayer before David’s battle and today’s Psalm 21 is David’s praise after the victory has been won. But more important for us to know in this Psalm is that we too can praise God for victory. Though David wrote this Psalm in reference to a particular place in time, one of the amazing things about the Bible is how the Holy Spirit inspired men to write in a way that goes deeper spiritually than the historic reference in which it was penned. This Psalm looks forward to the coming of the one true King, Jesus Christ.

Like David we can offer God the same praise as in verses 1-6, “O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.”

Like David we can trust in Jesus for all our needs and wants when we decide to put our complete faith in Him.

Psalm 21:7
"For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved."

In recent days we have had some terrible things happening across this world. Just today a friend posted some horrific pictures of what is being done to Christians and some were of children that had been slaughtered. But we can rest assured God sees what is happening. These atrocities will not go unpunished. Jesus is coming back and this Psalm speaks directly to the future for those who persecute His church.

Psalm 21:8-12
“Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you.
You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.”

Yes the world seems at times to be out of control. It is not. Jesus is on His throne and He is preparing to come back soon and take back the world. He will make all things new and peace will reign. Until He comes back we must stay busy. We must pray, we must worship and sing praise to Him and we must continue to spread the Gospel even if that brings death and dismemberment. David tasted the victory and He wrote this Psalm so that we might stay fixed in our mission. He wrote this Psalm to remind us that even though things look real bad, the victory has been won at Calvary. Until then we proclaim “Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.” (Psalm 21:13)