PSALM 20:4–9 Well-Placed Trust
READ: PSALM 20:4–9
v. 7 “But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
How easy to misplace our trust! Every day we’re looking for a sense of security, the assurance that we’ll be OK. So we trust in whatever seems to be most reliable, whether that’s our intellect, our strength, our money, our friends, or something else. Often we’ll trust the things that we can see, whatever has impressed us or seemed to help us before.
When God’s people Israel went to war, they also needed somewhere to put their trust. What would guarantee their success? How would David their king triumph? Naturally, they could’ve copied their enemies: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses” (v. 7). These were weapons of war, the most powerful armaments available—like the battle tanks and attack helicopters of today. It’s hard not to be impressed by a mighty warhorse pulling a swift and deadly chariot! But the LORD forbade his kings from acquiring large numbers of horses (Deut. 17:16), because the strength of a king was to be in God Almighty. Any victory will come from the LORD alone.
As Israel prays Psalm 20 before a battle, they know that those who trust in the speed or power of human armies are always going to be disappointed. These cannot stand against the LORD. It’s an important truth for today: a material object, a human ability, even a collection of allies—these are nothing before the living God. In distinction from their enemies, Israel is glad to confess, “But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20 is a prayer of faith, filled with expectation. Still, both David and Israel yielded to that temptation to trust in what they could see. Our trust too is flawed, and our faith is always weak. When Jesus came to earth, however, he lived with perfect confidence in his Father. He could’ve relied on the protection of myriads of angels, or used the sword to advance his kingdom. But Jesus chose the way of quiet faith in God. He yielded to him and trusted him, even to his final moments on the cross.
Now Jesus shows how trustworthy God is. As our King he will not fail his people, or abandon us in any circumstance. He is faithful! As Jesus says, “Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). Let us learn to trust in him more, and to give up every earthly confidence.
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