Where to Look in Times of Trouble
Psalm 20
A driving instructor once instructed his students, 'Your car always tends to drift toward where your eyes are looking." Think about the truth of that statement not only in navigating tight driving situations but also in navigating tough life situations. The truth is our hearts always tend to drift to where our eyes are focused. If your eyes continually look at all the troubles around you, your heart will follow. That is why we need Psalm 20, which teaches where to look in times of trouble.
At first glance Psalm 20 seems like it could be a personal blessing. Yes, this is certainly a statement of blessing, but it is not a blessing directed toward us individually. Look at verse 9. It says, "LORD, give victory to the king!" Psalm 20 is a statement of blessing on the king! In troubled times, the people looked at the king. For us, we look to the ultimate king, our Lord Jesus Christ.
So what are we to do in times of trouble?
First, in troubled times we must keep looking at King Jesus. Our hearts will drift toward where our eyes are focused. Therefore, while our troubles seem overwhelming and our tendency is to look at them, we must turn our eyes away from our troubles to King Jesus. The more troubles we encounter, the more we must discipline ourselves to spend more time in God's Word, more time with God's people, and more time seeking God's face. As troubles arise, turn your eyes to King Jesus.
Second, in troubled times we must be constantly assured of his victory. The refrain of verse 6 needs to be constantly in our minds: "I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed." Say it out loud. Say it often. Jesus will win. His victory is assured. And for those who have chosen to trust and follow him, our victory is as assured as his. We will raise our Inner. Our enemies will fall.
Third, in troubled times we must rise and stand firm with King us. The posture of our minds, hearts, and mouths says a lot about our faith. Our troubles tend to cripple us and cause us to be defeated, scared, discouraged, or even paralyzed with fear and anxiety. Instead, we must rise and stand firm. In troubled times the in believers the confidence that Jesus is greater than the trouble
Psalm 20 is not about the power of positive thinking. confidence that those who have trusted Jesus Christ are united with him in his death, burial, and resurrection. Our victory is assured because our King's victory is assured. Because of that, we must sing our banner. Our King has won and so have we.
