Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (ESVUK)
This verse is taken from the end of Psalm 20 and it comes with a challenge; it is paced with a punch: where is your trust and confidence? Do you misplace your trust in human power or place your trust in heavenly provision? The challenge is to live on a different level. Notice the words, “Some … and some … but we …” Many place their trust in the wrong things.
Jeremiah writes:
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. … But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” Jeremiah 17:5,7 (NIV)
Notice that a person who puts their trust in God is described as “blessed”. We are also told in the same chapter that this person does not fear when heat comes and has no worries in a year of drought.
O LORD of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:12 (NKJV)
To trust in the name of the Lord our God means to trust in the revealed character of God. We trust His wisdom. We trust that His way is perfect. We trust that He does not fail us or forsake us. We trust that His name is a strong tower.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10 (NKJV)
When David fought Goliath, he did not really depend on his sling shot and those five smooth stones. He was glad he had them, but his total confidence was in God. He knew that neither Goliath’s weapons nor Goliath’s size would give Goliath victory because David was the one that came to that battle in the name of God.
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)
As we confront the Goliath battles that appear in our personal lives and that face our nations, we need to direct our focus away from what mankind is doing and look instead at what God is doing.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8 (AMP)
In the Message Bible, Psalm 20:7-8 reads:
See those people polishing their chariots,
and those others grooming their horses?
But we’re making garlands for GOD our God.
The chariots will rust,
those horses pull up lame –
and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall. Psalm 20:7-8 (MSG)
I encourage you to…
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJV)