Psalm 20:7

NASB	NLT	VOICE
7 Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God.	7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.	7 Many put their hope in chariots, others in horses, but we place our trust in the name of the Eternal One, our True God.

Trusting in the World Over God

Chariots were symbols of both military power and technological advancement. They were used by powerful armies to get a strategic advantage in any battles. Relying on chariots shows how humans can rely on key things for their strength and military might. On a grander scale, this shows how humanity is tempted to trust in the things of this world instead of God’s provision. Horses were also valued for their speed and strength. Horses were connected to wealth and status, and only society’s elite would be able to afford and maintain them. With the horses, the reliance on them goes against the biblical teaching that true security from God. We trust in God overall. We have a deep relationship with God and are confidence in how God delivers us from our bondage to slavery and protects us from the evil forces of the world. The difference between relying on humanity and divine trust encourages us to place our faith in God’s power instead of human strength.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What is one thing you rely on right now to help you survive each day?

Using Your Resources for God’s Purpose

Earthly powers and security are ultimately unreliable. The job that we’ve been at for the last decade, we can be fired from it tomorrow. The relationship that we’ve been in for the last five years, we can be broken up with or divorced the next day. The money that we’ve been saving in our account, we can spend tomorrow during an emergency. The things of the world can come and go, but the provision of God lasts forever. We can only find security in God’s provision. What does this look like? We can find contentment, peace, and happiness in the things that we have currently. It may not be what we want or where we want to be. It may be a result of past decisions and consequences from us and others. However, we can find contentment in the hand we’ve been dealt. God does not delight in causing our hard situation or use them to defeat us in punishment. Each decision made, both by us and those around us, has consequences. We can face them directly or indirectly. Overall, we can rest in God. We can find peace and security with where we are and what we have through God. We can lean on his judgment and guidance using the resources and skillset that we must go and do the things that God has called us to do.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Take a minute to reflect on everything that you have. What is one thing you can do with everything that you have today?

PRAY Action

Praise God for His provisional power. Share your gratitude to God for everything that you have and everything that you’ve been through that got you to where you are. You may not have enjoyed the journey, but you can find gratitude that God guided you through it.

Read Proverbs 18:10

Ask God for the protection from the evil forces of this world. God is our strong towers, offering us shelter and protection from our enemies. We can find protection from our enemies, and a path to get us through to the other side of our battles.

You are stronger than you think. You are an overcomer. You are able to work through all things that you face.

Next slice of manna: The Righteous Path of Faith || Habakkuk 2:4 || Manna for the Mind #322