“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” –Psalm 20:7
April the 10th, 1912 the Titanic set out from Southampton on its maiden voyage bound for New York City. It was to be the fastest crossing to date on the greatest ship ever built. While crossing the frigid Atlantic waters the Titanic top out at suicidal speeds. It was thought to be unsinkable. The design was thought to be flawless, and no one ever thought that such technology could fail. It did fail. It did sink. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
The Psalmist David, king of Israel, a man after God’s own heart, understood as well as any what trusting in God over trusting in man (even yourself) can do for you. As a young man, David boldly stood against Goliath of Gath. David was just a youth and Goliath, a “warrior from his youth” did battle to decide the fate of the nation. Goliath was cloaked with armor and with him his sword and spear. David, a picture of humility, in his shepherd’s robes and armed with a sling and stone. What no one realized however (save David), was that David was on God’s side. He slung the rock, struck the giant, and the victory was to God and to the Israelites. He trusted in God, while all others feared Goliath. In our lives, we are constantly faced with giants. They come in many different forms and take many different shapes. The giants in our lives engender heartache and fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, weakness, neglect, and bondage. They bring us to worry and cause us pain and sorrow; all the while seeking to rob us of joy and peace. Ultimately, striving to steal our salvation. Giants can be money problems, health issues, loved ones passing, work issues, the list goes on. Whatever the giant, named or unnamed (for some exist only in our mind and are known only to us and God), it’s up to us to choose when and where to put our trust. In times of war where do we look to for strength? What do we trust in to take us through and win the battle? In David’s day, the king with the most horses and chariots (i.e. the biggest army) was the one who was the most secure. They trusted in those things, just as the captain of the Titanic trusted in his technology. In our day, horses and chariots could be described as our bank accounts, intelligence, or strength. Our Titanic could be respectability and personal merit. The giants in our lives force us to trust, and when that time comes, we must remember the Lord our God.
The natural inclination is to trust in the physical things of this life. To steam across the ocean of life; hoping that our “technology” and “innovation” will keep us safe. This theology so permeates our society and psyche that to think otherwise is considered foolish by many; when we are fools to trust in anything but God. For anything but God will fail us. The remembrance of the Lord and the earnest desire to have Him first in your life will save your soul. It will take you through whatever trial or tribulation you are in; it will give you victory over any giant, with the ultimate reward of heaven. When times of trouble or distress come (for they will); do not trust in chariots or horses but look to God for he can save and he can bless.
