May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you. May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion. May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah. (Psalm 20:1-3)
The Hebrew word translated as “trouble” is pregnant with meaning in regard to the life of a believer. For instance, here it is rendered as trouble; in other places it is translated as tribulation. In short, this word speaks to the hardship and travail all believers are destined to endure at some point in their life. The actual word is צרה tzarah and stems from the root that means to “squeeze” or to “press.” From that same root is derived the word מצרים mitzrayim or “Egypt” which, for God’s people, represents hardship, oppression and being squeezed to death. This concept lines up with the Greek word that is translated as “narrow” or “troublesome” — the word that describes the one and only road that leads to life.
In short, if we follow the Messiah we will have to endure tribulations. Perhaps that is why David inferred that there will be a day of trouble, and in that season, may the LORD answer all our prayers and come to our defense. Interestingly, he referred to the Almighty as “the God of Jacob” and not the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Commentators suggest this was to bring attention to the distress that plagued Jacob most of his life. Much more so than Abraham or Isaac, Jacob had to endure trouble and trials — from his conception until almost the end of his life. I’m of the opinion this was because he was the one destined to be named Israel — i.e. You have struggled with God and man and have “prevailed.”
But even Jacob could not have prevailed without Heaven’s assistance, and it is the same for us all. None of us can hope to prevail over the Adversary and this world without God interjecting His Presence into our life. Add to that the fact we are living in the end of the age, which means this generation needs Him as never before. Centuries ago, David prayed on behalf of all God’s people — throughout the generations — that in our day of trouble, God would rise up and defend us; that He would send assistance and strength straight to us from the Throne of God (the sanctuary), the seat of God’s habitation on earth, Zion. And it is in that same spirit that we will close with these encouraging words from the Messiah: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:20).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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