City Life Starter

Written by PJ Thomas

The Word

¹May the LORD answer you when you are in trouble, May the God of Jacob make you secure.

⁷Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:1,7

Reflection

In this psalm, the author is penning a prayer due to an impending battle. He intends to compare those who trust in the instruments of war and those who express their fullest confidence in God. In this manner, the psalmist encourages us to not forget that our success does not rely solely on the instruments we use, but on the God that gives us the instruments and empowers us to use them.

Application

David describes trust as dependent on a relationship with God. He spent time with God, he read about His word, he understood that God considered him. In other words he developed an attachment ( a strong emotional bond) with God. That attachment allowed him to trust God because he intimately knew the character of God through their exchange.  When we depend on our resources, connections, or talents, these are things that cannot respond and speak back to us to show us their trustworthiness.  However, as Paul instructs us “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Through Christ, the mind and character of God is revealed and shows us his unfailing love (Psalm 33:5).

God time and again answered David, so he knew that his resources (chariots and horses) were not worth his trust, and would not make him secure. He instead trusted in the One who could deliver him. We would do well to follow his example to know God and to call on him (not our own resources).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with so much and I thank You for those blessings. I pray that You bless me with more of You and bless me with the wisdom to rely on You, and not merely Your blessings.  I pray that I would intimately know You, so that trust and reliance would naturally flow from me. When trials come, remind me of how trustworthy You are, and Your unfailing love. Amen.