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Return To The Online Bulletin
Main PagePsalms
20:7-8
Some trust in chariots, and
some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand
upright.
It is inherent in man to place trust in someting greater than himself. He desires a place of safety, a refuge or haven to rest in. The psychologist Abraham Maslow (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) esteems safety/trust concerns of fundamental importance, second only to the primary needs of life (food, clothing, shelter).
The Psalmist searches the alternatives which a man might trust in. He acknowledges that some will place their confidence in man's ways and wisdom ("...chariots and horses..."). However, may we side with the wise, those who find security in the ways of the God of heaven.
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Some Trust In Chariots And Horses
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Some folks are inclined to place their confidence in things related to man. I am reminded of the Peanuts character, Linus, who found security in his blanket. Take it away, and he felt helpless. So it is with many of the passing sources of assurance.
It is no wonder that David makes reference to "...chariots and horses...", for he lived in a time of war and was no doubt witness to many such individuals, who placed their trust in the military strength of their country. The Philistines were such a people, as the Bible writer comments, "...the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven." (1 Samuel 13:5) On another occasion, the Philistines assembled against Israel, "...and a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.....and the Philistine said, 'I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.'" (1 Samuel 17:4, 10)
However, we might place our trust in things temporal in more ways than military strength. Recall the rich young man whom Jesus spoke to (Matthew 19:16-22) and the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). In both cases, a great quantity of possessions provided a false sense of security. Jesus retorically asked, "...what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
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We Will Remember The Name Of The LORD
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Time and time again, as we consider the great men and women of the Bible, they were people of faith. Their faith was not in material wealth, military power, or any other such --- they trusted in God. Abraham and Sarah conceived and bore a son by faith. Abraham heeded God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac by faith. Faith in the God of heaven enabled Israel to conquer Jericho, and saved Rabah the harlot from destruction. David fought and defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant by faith. Daniel faithfully prayed to the Lord, even when the law forbad it, and was kept secure by the Lord in the lion's den. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace by faith.
The Lord is a sure foundation. The Proverb writer declared, "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD." (Proverbs 21:31) And again, the Scriptures say, "... You, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the one who lifts up my head." (Psalms 3:3)
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They Have Bowed Down And Fallen
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There will never be victory when we rely upon man's wisdom and ways. There may be small triumphs, but defeat is certain. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, and will not call back His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together." (Isaiah 31:1-3) David bluntly declared, "No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength." (Psalm 33:16-17) Pharaoh fell. Jericho fell. Goliath fell.
Man by himself is bound for defeat. Solomon wrote, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25)
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We Stand Upright
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The apostle John triumphantly wrote, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world——our faith." (1 John 5:4) The apostle Paul speaks about the armour of faith which God has suited us with: the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the footwear of the preparation of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:11-17) To the Romans, Paul confirmed, "...we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
As Jahaziel spoke to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Jerusalem, "...the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15) May we never forget. We stand, for the Lord makes us to stand. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright."
In this week's Answering The Athiest: Does the earth hang on nothing (Job 26:7) or does it have a foundation (Job 38:4)? Both can't be right, can they? Is there a contradiction? Visit http://AnsweringTheAtheist.faithweb.com/20010729.htm