Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(Psalm 20:7)
Read: Psalm 20
Devotion: What do you trust in? Do you have a reliable car that has never broken down? How about a friend that has never let you down? To have reliable transportation or a trusted friend is a blessing, but I think we would all readily recognize that our trust should not ultimately rest in those things. New, reliable cars eventually break down. Your friend, though they may desire to help you whenever possible, won’t always be able to.
Our days of trouble come in many varieties, many of which are sudden. A car wreck, a medical emergency, terrible news about a loved one, a sudden crash in the stock market, and even a mugging or the threat of violence against us. The best of what we rely on in this earth cannot be there for us every time. They are not up to the task of delivering us from every day of trouble. However, there is one who is up to the task, who we should look to, and who we should put our full confidence in.
Hopefully the answer is obvious: it is the Lord, the God of Jacob. Psalm 20 is a wonderful prayer for God’s help. It is a declaration for God’s people to put their full trust in the name of Yahweh. To put one’s trust in His name is to put one’s trust in God’s reputation and character. Unlike horses and chariots which fail, the Lord will save His people.
David knew his fair share of battles, and he was a firsthand witness to the limitations of chariots and horses. Chariots were the tanks of ancient armies, and generally the army with a greater number of Chariots was the army that would win the battle. Yet David would not put his trust in them. David had seen those who put their trust in chariots and horses routed in battle, but he had never seen a person who trusted in the Lord fall—even it appeared like they had.
After Psalm 20 comes Psalm 21, the latter of which is also about the king’s trust in the Lord’s strength. Then comes Psalm 22 where the Lord has seemingly forsaken his anointed. In that psalm, David is groaning and wasting away, and his enemies are gloating over him. And they’re gloating over the fact that David trusts in the Lord (Ps 22:8). As we know, this is a prophetic psalm describing the future suffering of the Christ, and we see the same thing happen to Jesus at the crucifixion (Matt 27:43). In the immediate context, David is suffering tremendously, apparently overcome by his enemies, just as Jesus died at the hands of His enemies.
Interestingly, these descriptions of David and Jesus sounds like what happens to those who trust in chariots and horses: they fall before their enemies. But did David truly fall? Even though Christ died, was He put to shame for trusting in God? Absolutely not! Christ suffered and died, but it was according to the plan of God. Christ rose from the dead and was vindicated before all of his opponents. The same is true for David. The Lord is faithful, and the Lord will deliver his people, though not always in the ways that we think. Nevertheless, those who put their trust in the Lord they will never be put to shame. As Paul says of Jesus in Romans 10:11-13, “For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Therefore, our confidence and hope must be fully in the Lord. Cars will fail us. Friends will fail us. If you own a horse or chariot, those things will fail you. They cannot deliver you from the day of trouble, but the Lord can and will if you cry out to him in simple faith. He has provided the means of deliverance in his Son, and he has said that all those who put their hope in him will never be put to shame. Though outward circumstances—like persecution in the path of obedience—may make it appear to us that our hope has been in vain, we can have full confidence that we will be vindicated on the last day when Christ comes in glory to deliver His people. On that day those who trusted in Christ will rise and stand upright while those who trusted in others will collapse and fall (Ps 20:8).
Ponder and Pray: Consider how Christ’s death and resurrection fuels our confidence in the Lord’s future vindication of His people. Pray for God’s help to believe in your future vindication so that you can remain faithful in the midst of difficult circumstances.
