Community Group Discussion Guide

Psalm 20 – June 7, 2020

I. Getting Stated:

Have you heard or used the expression, “…so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good”? In what context have you heard this phrase and what was the application?

What about the other extreme—taking action that is uninformed by Biblical truth and made effective through the work of the Holy Spirit in us? Have you ever been an “uninformed activist”, unguided by Scripture or prayer? In what way?

The struggles we have in responding to God in our daily lives can reveal this “lopsidedness”; particularly, when we passively recognize needs we can meet and action that requires courage, but we often do nothing of “earthly good”. This struggle can become much more evident when sin visibly erupts in our culture, where we experience anger and deep sadness as a result. Has our preparation as disciples of Christ, called to serve a world suffering in sin, prepared us to respond actively in a way that reflects the heart of Christ, or are the issues too difficult, too controversial, are the risks too high for our involvement?

Personally, but also as Christ’s church, living in our current cultural experience, how are we doing in our response to be salt and light in the questions of:

Racial or ethnic bias? The value of human life, particularly the unborn? Issues of social justice?i (see footnote below for helpful understanding)

Today’s discussion of Psalm 20 in not intended to create a distraction into areas that we tend to keep “off limits” because of concern for offense or simply not knowing how to have such discussions. Instead, these areas of great struggle are mentioned as areas where we might be encouraged, through God’s word, to give more thought to and to be bolder in preparing our hearts for Jesus-like action.

Scripture urges us, in the responsibilities of caring for and loving one another, to be diligent in this area—to give of ourselves; to sacrifice for the good of others. Psalm 20 reminds us that King David was a man of action, a man of battle. His warfare, protecting God’s people from the enemy, was a forerunner to our own experience of war—spiritual warfare. David’s example is instructive to us. While he knew of his responsibility to act, he proclaimed “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Psalm 20 – To the choirmaster of DavidTrust in the Name of the Lord Our God

1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!2 May he send you help from the sanctuaryand give you support from Zion!3 May he remember all your offeringsand regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!4 May he grant you your heart's desireand fulfill all your plans!5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,and in the name of our God set up our banners!May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;he will answer him from his holy heavenwith the saving might of his right hand.7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.8 They collapse and fall,but we rise and stand upright.9 O LORD, save the king!May he answer us when we call.

Context: King David’s sword never got rusty—Israel seemed to always be at war—war against enemies that would bring destruction to the lives of the people. David had been called by God to lead His people, to protect them; and in recognizing the weight of his calling, he recognized his inadequacy to the task and prayed for help.

Discussion Question: Describe our contemporary battles as believers. Where are we doing well in battle and where do we need to do better? Are there battle grounds that we’re blind to or afraid to engage in? Why do you think this is the case?

By the language used in Psalm 20, the weight of the battle is evident (feel familiar?). In David’s time, the battle clearly had a physical aspect. David was a warrior, physically prepared, ready to sacrifice his life, if it meant Israel would be protected. But at the heart of the battle was the spiritual well-being of God’s people. It’s also true, and is instructional for us, that while David spoke of his desperate weakness in prayer, he recognized how God’s design was to use him—through David’s “actions”, his leadership, God would protect His people. David demonstrated a desperate dependence and trust on God by praying, yet he also prepared to act—to enter the battle.

Discussion Question: What do you think David experienced emotionally and spiritually as he prepared for battle? Do we view and experience our spiritual battles as David did his? Do we have a similar desperation, leading to prayer? The unjust and brutal murder of a black man (George Floyd) by one in authority has brought stark awareness of spiritual battle. Has this created a desperation toward God for you? In what ways?

David’s Prayer: The first 4 verses are a prayer, where King David and the people of Israel ask God to be responsive in their time of trouble. The strength of the language conveys desperation and a deep theological awareness that their strength rested fully and completely in God’s kingship, not David’s.

In weeks prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus, Pastor John talked about this growing question of when will we get desperate enough or broken enough to be used as God wants to use us? Evidence of a lack of desperation is recognized in a lack of prayer. David’s prayer, placed in the context of our contemporary experience, provokes questions like, “why doesn’t a recognized need to take the gospel to the world, to my workplace, to my neighbor, not move me to prayer?”

Discussion Questions: Were you able to attend the weekend that Nik Ripkin preached? Did Nik and Ruth’s testimonies of God’s work around the world speak to you in any particular way? How can the church help those (perhaps you) respond or follow up on God’s leadership in their lives, in your life? Has God provoked any specific response in your life, in the life of your family—perhaps a deeper awareness, even a desperation for the nations to hear the gospel?

Verses 5 through 8 are David’s declaration of his trust in God. David, no doubt, prepared for the battle. His armor and sword were the best available. His horses were trained, his chariots were made to not fail him in the most difficult of battle. Yet he knew who had called him to the battle and who would be sustain him and bring victory. David declares, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Discussion Questions: What are some of the “chariots” and “horses” that we place our trust in when it comes to battle? Or, maybe we avoid the battle? What are some of the battles the church needs to be more involved in as Christ’s ambassadors in a war zone? What can we do to become more involved, to put “actions” to the commands in Scripture, particularly as they relate to racial and ethnic bias, issues of social justice and the value of human life?

Celebrating the life of an “active” believer, who trusted not in “chariots and horses”: The German pastor, George Muller, doing ministry from the mid-to-late 1800s, is known for how he demonstrated trust in God through prayer. In all of his ministry work Muller worked extremely hard. He is best known for the five orphanages he built, over time serving over 10,000 orphans, “to board and clothe and scripturally educate destitute children who have lost both parents by death.” When Muller turned 70, he answered the call to be a missionary, eventually preaching in 42 countries to an estimated 3 million people. At the age of 92, he led a Wednesday night prayer meeting, then went home. When tea was brought to him the next morning, Muller was

found dead on the floor by his bed. Muller emulated Christ in his trust in God and his actions in serving.

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray that God would bring to us a desperation for responding to His “live sent” calling on each of our lives.

2. Ask that God would bring to His church a clearer understanding of what His justice demands as he calls us to do good in the world, to serve others in their need and share the good news of their recue from sin (Eph. 2:10; Matt. 20:25-28).

3. Pray that God would give Henderson Hills a desperation for prayer and for the nations, and that we would respond to God’s call as David did, prepared to act in response.

4. Pray that we would be salt and light to the world where racial and ethnic bias is found and that God would give us wisdom in our desire to be active as peace makers.

i Discussion of, and the believer’s role in “social justice”, can be precarious if we’ve not settled well into a right understanding of justice. Scripture says, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely” (Proverbs 28:5), indicating we as believers have particular, God-given understanding of justice—but only because we know the One who justice belongs to (Isaiah 30:18) (see the Desiring God link below). This understanding of justice is rooted in knowing our own sin and our need for repentance, for “none is righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Jesus satisfied God’s justice for the believer. “Social justice is not the main aim of the gospel”, but as those who have been justified by faith, “we understand that justice is God upholding His glory against sin” (Bryce Young). As those “justified”, followers of Christ should be the most passionate for justice because we understand it personally.

Helpful Resources:https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-christians-know-social-justice/https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/only-christians-understand-true-social-justice