I had the biggest presentation of my life at work so far recently and I couldn’t sleep for most of the night before. I was so worried and woke up that morning with a particular scripture stuck in my mind. It’s a scripture my friend Yewande sent me while I was still at Berkeley, right before I took some MAJOR qualifying exams. It was a real career hurdle and she knew how nervous I was and so gifted me with what she thought (and I agree), was the most fortifying and comforting present she could give: Scripture.  For some reason, on this particular day of my work presentation, all I could remember was this one line:

“…may we rejoice when we hear of your victory…”

Pretty generic, n’est-ce-pas? I wasn’t even sure I’d remembered it correctly but I felt sure Google would have an answer for me. Oh if I could only put the faith I place in Google on God, I would see daily miracles! #ForgiveLord! 

I found it!

And what a wonderful, amazing comfort it was to me that morning while racked with nerves. I thought, “What a thoughtful gift to give a friend this scripture is!” It truly is.

So I’m sending it out to you today, in case you need it. Or just so you can keep for the day you do indeed need it. I pray it gives you the same comfort and courage it gave me.

Psalm 20
For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.[a]
3 May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

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

5 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.
6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.

7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

8 Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm.
9 Give victory to our king, O Lord!
Answer our cry for help.