Suggested Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 20
Devotional Thought:
Title: “A God of Grace and Mercy”
2 Samuel 9 relates the kindness shown to the displaced, disinherited and disabled son of Jonathan; and chapter 10 speaks of showing kindness, this time to a son of Nahash. Both chapters are set within a covenant context: one relates to David’s covenant with Jonathan, the other to a covenant, written or implied, between David and Nahash. David attempted to honor both covenants, but Hanun stiffened his resistance to the house of David. Hanun used the opportunity to insult David in an outrageous manner. The dominance of David in the region was now obvious, and was not welcomed by Hanun’s court. The act of humiliation endured by David’s messengers was intended to deliver the message that Ammon would not be subject to Israel. It is hard to prove that Psalm 20 is written because of this event; however, it is certainly applicable to this event. The prayer and desire of the people for their king is a compilation of short and direct requests. To the king they say, “The Lord hear thee, defend thee, help thee, strengthen thee, remember thee, accept thee, and give thee.” Though they appear to be addressing the king, they are, in fact, petitioning our Great God on his behalf. Note that their appeal is to Jehovah. It is the awesome name of the eternally existing all-sufficient One, but, almost at once, they have cause to remember that He is the God of Jacob. In Jehovah there is all power and might to deliver their king in the day of trouble, and in the God of Jacob there is the grace of God that will hear them. It may well be a remembrance of Jacob’s words in Genesis 35:3, where the patriarch says, “God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.” By “the name” in verse one, it is meant that the character by which God has revealed Himself, and the manner in which He revealed Himself to Jacob seemed so suitable and so applicable to David in his trouble. Jacob had his days of trouble; David did too have many such days. The God of Jacob was a merciful God, a God of all grace, and faithful, and the prayer of this Psalm is that He would minister to David as He had ministered to Jacob. The opening request is that God would hear their prayer and defend their king. What an encouragement it is for any leader to know people are praying to the God of heaven on his behalf. The petitioners realized that this divine help and protection would come from the sanctuary. David did not have the privilege of such a temple as that of Solomon, but he did have a sanctuary, where, behind the curtains on Mount Zion, dwelt the Ark of the Covenant, and with it, the very presence of Jehovah. David desired sanctuary help, that from the divine presence in Zion there might come to him the strengthening that he needed to face his many foes. The believer today similarly prays that from the heavenly sanctuary, from God’s very throne room, there might be granted mercy and enabling grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to never forget to praise you and thank you for the many who pray for me. They are such a blessing.
- Lord, please help me to never forget to pray for others in their times of need. We have such a wonderful privilege to enter into your very presence to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need.
- Lord, thank you for your character that teaches us about whom you are. I am so thankful for the Divine help to guide me, protect me, and use me as I serve you in this life.