Psalm 20 reads like a benediction for the king of ancient Israel – a liturgical prayer to be used by the community. I can imagine David coming to the temple to offer sacrifices before a war and this being sung/spoken by the community, or maybe upon the coronation of a king. It calls for the king to be heard, protected, supported and blessed by God. It does so based on the assumption that he will place himself in the hands of God.
That assumption comes home to roost in verse 7:
‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’ (NIV)
It would be naive for anyone to extrapolate out of this that they therefore didn’t have chariots and horses (weapons of war) though I desperately wish I could, but that these things are ultimately not what they put their faith in. Their trust went above these things.
There is a lesson in that for me (and you too maybe). Where we do I ultimately put my faith? Where do we believe our sense of fulfilment is going to come from? Is it going to come from the next thing that might give us that sense of ‘victory’ – a pay rise? An affirming word from that person we’ve been trying to impress? That thing we’ve wanted to buy? That piece of legislation that we want to get through Parliament that might validate us? That next drink or drug hit? Sex? Money? Power? If the answer to those things or any other that sits in the pursuit of something material is yes then it will be fleeting and our life will be gripped by their pursuit.
We need to find something deeper, something that transcends those fleeting pursuits – for me that’s the simple truth that I am loved by God and He is calling me to love him back. That truth stands no matter what fleeting happenings are moving in and out of my life. It’s that truth that I wish my life to flow from.
May we be people who find fulfilment in the deep things of life, who place our trust above the things that rust, rot and ultimately come and go.
Read more of my reflections on the Psalms.
Here’s why I’m walking this journey through the Psalms.