Tuesday Reflection -October 26, 2021

I Trust in God

These days we are called upon to pause and reflect on all that is happening around us. The purpose of this reflection is to see where we are as a person of faith. We must assess from time to time, the worth and weight of faith in our lives. This involves knowing where we turn in our times of stress, what we do when we are experiencing tough moments. Today’s Watchword from Psalm 20: 7 gives us the different directions in which persons will turn in moments of hardships. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

It is believed that when David wrote this Psalm, he was thinking of the Syrian army which was reputed to be mighty with lots of chariots and horses. Most other armies of that time depended on foot soldiers. The armies with the chariots and horses would have an advantage over an army that was mostly foot soldiers. David and his army were able to resist this army and be victorious over them. They knew that this was not because of their might but because God was with them. In 2 Samuel 8: 4 David captures chariots, their riders, and horsemen. There were other occasions where David and his army was able to defeat the more powerful armies of chariots and horses. The people praised God for they knew that their victory was not based on their strength, but on the power of God in whom they trusted. Matthew Henry describes it like this: those who make God and his name their praise may make God and his name their trust. As we assess our faith we must examine who receives our praise, for whoever we give our praise, will also receive our trust.

The text points out for us the difference between a worldly and a godly outlook. The worldly outlook will give praise to powers, structures and systems of this world. Such persons will depend upon medical systems and procedures for healing. Worldly persons will depend on political and social structures for protection and provision. Worldly persons will depend on the community for social interactions. Godly persons however have learned to find in Christ our all in all. Godly persons have learned to depend on God as our provided and protector, as the one who surrounds us with loving, caring community and as the one who mends and heals our brokenness and ailments. Indeed, some will trust in the things and systems of this world, but we who know Jesus as Lord have learnt to trust in the name of the Lord our God. Nothing can replace the power and presence of God in our lives when we remain firmly rooted and grounded in Christ. My trust is in Him alone, and no other. Amen