FROM TROUBLE TO THANKSGIVING

Psalm 20:1-9
I often remind and encourage our leadership that they are warriors, soldiers for the Lord. Everyday you are fighting for something. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We don't fight flesh and blood, but I will say that for most, we struggle against the flesh. The Bible describes God's people as soldiers in His army.

As soldiers, we must be familiar with Psalms 20 and 21. Psalm 20 deals with prayer and winning the victory, and Psalm 21 deals with praise and holding the victory. If we trust the Lord, we will move from trouble to thanksgiving.

I want to give you 5 important factors that will help lead you to triumph in battle.
The first is prayer.This is an essential element in fighting the battles of the Lord because it releases His power. There are no battles like those of the Christian life. We struggle against the enemies of the Lord: the world (I John 2:15), the flesh and the devil (Eph. 6). We must pray according to the will of God. The Word of God and prayer go together (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17,18).
Secondly, we need to surrender. Before David and his army fought, they worshiped God. That affected his battle plan and his victory. David's "burnt offering" indicated total surrender to God. If we're not walking with the Lord today, we'll not be ready when the battle comes.
The third factor is unity. David and his army had one goal--God's victory. And they had one joy--to serve Him and do His will. The tribes of Israel were a picture of unity. They had one army assembled from 12 tribes.
The fourth factor is faith. Verse 6 says the Lord "saves" His anointed. The Hebrew word used here means He "has saved." That is, God already has given David the victory (I John 5:4). The Church today often trusts in all kinds of horses and chariots but not in the Lord.
The final factor is obedience (which is our greatest weapon). David and his army obeyed God's will. The day of trouble can become a day of triumph and thanksgiving if we have trust, which is expressed by prayer, surrender, unity, faith and obedience.

Although you cannot avoid battles, you can be ready for them and, with God's help, be victorious. Are you prepared to do battle? If not, trust the Lord to help you.