Psalm 20

1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

9 O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!

I think it was 2 years ago. I could still remember quite clearly. At the Sanctification Weekend, Pastor Hee Guan preached from Psalm 20. He focused on verse 7.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I felt that the Holy Spirit spoke to me so much on that night. I was deeply ministered. Now as I read this verse again, I am as amazed as before, at the depth of its meaning.

At the time of the psalmist, chariots and horses represent military might. Obviously if you have many chariots at that time, you will feel powerful and in control. You will be able to defeat your enemies and conquer much land.

In the present day context, what do the horses and chariots represent?

I believe that they represent not just military might. They represent things that make you feel that you are in control.


For instance, to the working adults, horses and chariots can refer to their career or financial wealth. They put all their energy into climbing the corporate ladder and to accumulate money. When they achieve a reasonable level of success, they feel that they are in control, and they can have anything they want.

Another example, to the youths, horses and chariots can refer to the Internet. Whenever they are in the online world, they feel so much in control. Applications that can make them feel this way include MSN (they can choose the people they want to talk to), Maple Story or World of Warcraft (they can become super-high level characters), Friendster or Facebook (they can add all their friends), etc. Even the World Wide Web makes them feel like information is just so readily available. They can find anything, as and when they want.

I'm not saying that we should not aim high in our career (please do) nor am I saying that we should not use the Internet (this blog is on the Internet..). I'm saying that we must not put our complete trust in them. Because they are things that will not last. You may be retrenched. You may become bankrupt. Internet connection can be down. Who knows?

But we can trust in the name of the Lord, our God! He lasts. He was, He is and He is to come.

Personally, I know that I've been trusting God with more parts of my life now than in the past. One of the breakthroughs is my finances. I always give to the Lord faithfully and to others generously (usually). I just surrender all my finances to the Lord, and He always blessed me with more (like increasing my salary when I didn't expect it).

Trusting and surrendering always come together. One area I need to learn to trust God and surrender more is my family salvation.


Things to ponder
1. Out of 100%, how many percent of your life have you surrendered to the Lord?
2. Are there things in your life that you have placed too much trust in? Like studies, friends, computer games, etc. List them down here.
3. Are there areas in your life that you have difficulties surrendering? List them down too.
4. Pray and commit to walk the journey of trusting God and surrendering to Him every area of your life.


Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are my Rock and Savior. You will always be there for me, no matter what happens. I pray that every day, I will learn to trust You more, and have the Holy Spirit to guide me every moment of my life. Lord, I know that I still struggle with commiting my family salvation into Your hands. Today, I make a decision of surrendering it into Your mighty hands and trust that You will give the breakthrough. I just need to be a good testimony in my own family. Thank You, God. In Jesus' name, I pray and put all my trust in You. Amen!

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 20