Horses and Chariots Are Not Cutting It

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7, NIV). 

The approach to life described in this verse may seem counterintuitive. When our faith is undeveloped, it’s much easier to put our trust in things we can perceive with our five physical senses, than in something invisible.

Horses? Chariots? For those living in centuries before bombs or gun powder, these were awe-inspiring images. They stirred up feelings associated with strength and might.

We could come up with a modern paraphrase somewhere along the lines of, “Some may trust in high technology security systems; some may trust in body guards, but we will entrust our souls to the One who loves us best.”

Really, you could fill in the blanks there with anything that it’s easier for us humans to trust in, that we can see with our eyes and pay for with our wallets. Modern medicine, advice from the experts, or our own political party, to name a few.

Or maybe, we would fill in those blanks with… our own strength and wisdom? Our own ability to figure things out, to fix our problems, to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and get ahead in life? Just take a glance at the self-help section of any book store. “Five Steps to Take Back Your Peace of Mind.” One, two, three, and you’ve done it. Just try harder; that’s the answer.

Those of us that have tried with every ounce of human strength to find solutions, and come up dry, know that horses and chariots aren’t cutting it. We have learned that our own resources fall miserably short. We need something so much stronger. We need Someone entirely greater than our frail selves. We need God.

“We put our our trust in the name of the Lord.” Where specifically? In His name. His name reveals who He is; His name reveals His nature to us. 

In need of financial solutions? We put our trust in Jehovah Jireh.

In need of clarity? We put our trust in Christ the Wisdom of God.

In need of healing? We put our trust in Jehovah Rapha.

In need of guidance and restoration? We put our trust in the Good Shepherd.

In need of peace that transcends what we can understand? We put our trust in Jehovah Shalom.

Ahhh, that’s better. What a relief to lean, in absolute dependence, on the One who has unlimited strength and unlimited resource… and makes them available to us when we call upon His name! How liberating to stop straining at those bootstraps and instead rest in His infinite love!

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

“Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

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In your own life, what factors have gone into your journey of learning to lean into what is invisible?