Dec 1 - Psalm 20:1

In times of trouble, may

the Lord respond to your cry.

May the God of Israel keep

you safe from all harm.

Psalm 20:1

Benediction. 

It's a word that means: an utterance of good wishes, an expression of hoped for blessings. 

In a church, it is often the final words a pastor says before the congregation is sent forth into a world that is potentially dangerous. For example, the pastor might quote Numbers 6:24-26. "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace."

Now, when a pastor says a benediction like this, is it merely an expression of well-wishes, like, "I hope you have a good week"? No. 

A Christian benediction reminds us of how God has already promised to be with us. It's claiming his promises as we march off to battle -- even if it seems like the biggest battle we'll undertake this week will be rush-hour traffic. 

Today's Psalm begins with a benediction -- a reminder of God's character and a claiming of God's promises to us. Let's hear Scriptures benediction over your days ...

·       "1 In times of trouble, may the LORD respond to your cry." God is the God who hears. Be reminded to cry out to him. 

·       "1 May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm." God is our protector. Venture forth boldly into your days. 

·       "2 May he send you help from his sanctuary." Sanctuary is not only the place where God is worshipped, but it's a place the implies peace. Thus, we are praying, "May the peace that God enjoys flow directly into the situation in which you need help."

·       "3 May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings." This could be a scary benediction to many: "May God be as faithful to you as you've been to him."

·       "4 May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans." God won't grant anything contrary to his plans. So what this petition is really saying is, "May your heart align with God's heart, may you desire what he desires, and may God bring to completion his plans." 

·       Indeed, in that way, we claim one more benediction: "5 May the Lord answer all your prayers."

After being reminded repeatedly of God's presence and power through these repeated benedictions, there's one more phrase in this Psalm that begins with "may." This one is our response to all the blessings God has poured on us ...

“5 May we shout for joy

when we hear of your victory,

flying banners to honor our God.”

In Christ's Love,

a guy who pronounces

this benediction:

May the Lord remind you

daily of his faithfulness