Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (NIV)
Life can be a funny thing as we look back on the people and events in our lives, and try to understand the why of our ups and downs and victories and defeats. I believe our God is a God of cause and effect in this world, and that there are spiritual principles which are from God that allow us to be victorious in this life, if we trust the character of God to fulfill his promises.
Give consideration to what the word “trust” means to God. It doesn’t mean a passing reference or sound bite that allows us to say that we trust God, and move on with no essential change in our attitudes and decisions of life. Real trust in God is formed in the difficult times in life when we “hit the wall”, and there appears to be no one else to help us and protect us from the circumstance we find ourselves in. Only when we trust God in the extremity of life, when all our resources are exhausted, can we really experience the long arm of the Lord and forge a trust in his ability to sustain us through all things at all times.
Psalm 20 represents an intercessory prayer by the nation on behalf of their king David as he battles with the Ammonites. I love this prayer of intercession, for it is instructive in shaping our plea to God in other comparable events. David led Israel in sending a delegation to express kindness to the King of Ammon, because of the death of his father, only to have his entreaties rebuffed and his men humiliated. The Ammonites immediately hired Aramean mercenaries, the king of Maacah with some men, and also men from Tob to strengthen their forces and assure victory over the army of Israel. In the battle, the Israelite army finds themselves surrounded with no hope other than the character of God to stand with his people. I have felt surrounded from time to time and so weak to the point that I couldn’t punch my way out of a wet paper bag. It is precisely at these moments of our greatest weakness and life’s low ebb that we need to remember Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10 “for when I am weak, then I am strong.” That’s the recipe to stay calm, refocus the mind on God’s inexhaustible power, and plead for his intervention and help in our circumstance.
Our devotional text makes this teaching point clear, that it will not be the forces of men or our own ability that is the difference maker in tough and crooked places; quite the opposite, it will always be the supernatural power of God whose character is unchanging and absolutely reliable to meet us at our point of need. The people voice this trust by recognizing that their support and reinforcement doesn’t come about by the war instruments of men, but because of their trust in the name of the Lord who is sufficient for every danger, ailment, and stress we might face in this body. My friends, you will have ample opportunity in this life to trust God at the extremity of your life when you are fully stretched, but to rise up in faith at this point, you must get in the habit of trusting God – not just in the big things but in all things. When you trust God and he supplies the victory, it produces the confidence to persevere in this life no matter what. Honor God by getting into the habit of calling on him and trusting in him for deliverance. When we do as our psalm points out, then we will rise up and stand firm in our faith (Psalm 20:8).
TODAY, FATHER, I WILL TRUST IN YOU AND RELEASE MYSELF TO YOUR CARE AS I SEEK TO BE A PERSON OF POWER, INFLUENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE BOTH IN THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES OF MY LIFE. HELP ME NOT TO WAVER! AMEN!
Article source: Mike White @ Summit church of Christ
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