Psalm 21
In this psalm, David is praising God for His blessings not only upon him, but also the kingdom. David recognizes that the kingdom is doing well as a result of God’s goodness and blessing, but this is because David trusts in the Lord.
It’s easy for us to read scripture like this and deduce that God blesses some and curses others. Yet we see from verse 7 on that it is a result of David trusting in God. When we trust God, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. When we do not trust God, we make ourselves as His enemies. We begin to distrust God and devise plans not only for ourselves, but against Him. He knows what is best for us, so why then wouldn’t we trust Him? We see this principle in Luke 11 as Jesus teaches His sermon on the mount:
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
In Psalm 20:4, David mentions how he asked God for life and he received it. This life is the life God intended for us: one for eternity and in communion with Him. A lot of times, we get upset with God because He doesn’t give us what we ask for, yet we continue asking for the wrong things. In the above reference from Luke, what if your child asks for a snake or a scorpion? Would you give it to them even if you know it would be detrimental, just because he or she asked for it? Not at all. You would instead give them what was good for them and teach them that it is good. The same happens with our Heavenly Father. He only gives us what is good and edifying for us. Yet so often we throw a tantrum because we don’t get what we want when we want it.
Instead, God gives us blessings of good things and sets a crown of fine gold on our heads. He blesses us and empowers us with salvation, splendor, majesty, joy, gladness, and His presence. These are all the good things we should be asking for! He also protects us, redeems us, and avenges us.
Why do we fear? Why do we doubt? Why don’t we like what God gives us? These are the things we must ask ourselves because it will reveal the areas in which we are not trusting God. It will show us where in our lives we are incorrectly positioned to receive His blessings. It will allow us to understand the areas of our relationship with God that are weak. It will give us clarity to see our heart’s desires that are like snakes, stones, and scorpions. When will we learn to ask for the good things in life and believe that we deserve them and that God would actually give them to us? Seek not what we think is good, but what He says is good.
