June 24, 2019 
The word Sabbath means to cease.  So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms.  He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return.  Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!
New International Version (NIV)
We begin with a benediction.  A benediction is not so much an ending as a good word, or blessing.  We do not possess the power to bless on our own, but we can ask God to bless.  So David prays this blessing, starting with the source, "May the Lord . . ."  His requests not only tell us about David and his wishes.  They reveal God and his will.  God answers and protects and sends help and supports, he remembers and accepts sacrifices and offerings and gives the desires of our hearts. 

David is the kind of person who rejoices in the victories that God gives to others.  "We will shout for joy when you are victorious."  Are we those kinds of persons as well?  Paul told the church at Rome that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  On the whole, it is easier to do the latter than the former.  May God make us this kind of people.

Perhaps the most memorable part of this Psalm comes from the assertion:  "Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."  What we need in life is not finally dependent on our resources.  A news commentator speaking at a local school encouraged the kids to repeat after him, "If it is to be, then it is up to me."  David took a different tack.  If it is to be, then it is up to God working through me.  Do you have a chariot and horses?  I'm asking more about trust than transportation.  In what or whom do we place our trust?  Say it with me, out loud, "We trust in the name of the Lord our God!" 
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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