Rejoice In The Strength Of The Lord

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. Psalm 21:1

Psalm 20 records a prayer asking God to give the king success against his enemies. In Psalm 21, we see how David and the nation responded to that prayer. Psalm 20 ends with a specific request.

Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help. Psalm 20:9

When the Lord did, the king turned to Him with rejoicing because of that victory. God is the God of victory. I remember years ago, we used to sing a chorus with the following words.

Victory, Oh Victory shall be mine! Victory, Oh Victory shall be mine! If I hold my peace and let the Lord fight my battles, Victory, Oh shall be mine. Rev. James Moore

I think sometimes we forget who gives us the victory when the enemy of our souls confronts us. This Psalm reminds us it only comes through our strength in the Lord.

In Psalm 20, when the people lifted their king before God, their requests included the following.

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

Have you ever wondered why God will grant some requests but not others? People have come up with all kinds of answers to that question. God honors prayers that seek His desires.

For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested. Psalm 21:2

A Two-Part Request

Psalm 20:4-5 summoned the Lord with a two-part request. We just read the first one, “May he,” referring to God. The second part referred to David and the congregation, “May we.”

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. Psalm 20:5

We see how the king shouted in the beginning verse of Psalm 21. He returned to God’s people with a song in his heart. He didn’t come waving his own banner but the banner of God.

Do you allow your emotions some freedom when rejoicing in the Lord? The words “shout and joy” appear together many times in the Bible.

Getting excited when the Lord gives us a breakthrough should give us the strength to shout with joy. Then, the king and his people continued by testifying about the goodness of God.

You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. Psalm 21:3-4

Instead of trusting the Lord for strength, some people think the Lord should do everything to give us victory. The Lord, however, gives us the strength to fulfill His mission successfully.

David prayed for the Lord to give him strength to march against his enemy. Then, he trusted God for victory because he needed God’s strength when engaging in the battle.

Results of Relying on the Strength of the Lord

Look what happened when David relied on the strength of the Lord instead of his own. The people around him recognized God’s presence radiating from within him.

Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. Psalms 21:5-6

Do you know someone who radiates with the power and presence of the Lord? Those who put their trust in God? Like King David, they also seem to stand out spiritually.

For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. Psalm 21:7

When we shout and rejoice in the Lord and fill the air with His testimonies, our faith strengthens. Look how the people of Israel responded to the victories God gave to David.

You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.
You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear.
The Lord will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them.
You will wipe their children from the face of the earth; they will never have descendants.
Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed. Psalm 21:8-11

David and his army returned with a sweet victory. God answered their prayer by giving them success so they shouted for joy just like they said they would.

Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts. Psalm 21:13

Rejoice, Rejoice in the Lord

I realize God doesn’t expect us to run on emotions, but He gave them to us for a reason. According to the Psalms, why not use God’s strength to praise and worship Him?

Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm. Psalm 47:6-7

How can your public proclamation of worship and praise to the Lord become beneficial? It can elevate your faith and testimony of Him. It can also encourage others to worship the Lord.

Lord, thank you for the strength you have made available to us. Help us to stay connected to it as we live in the center of your will.

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