ARTICLES

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

In the ancient world, few symbols carried more weight than horses and chariots. They represented speed, strength, and military dominance. An army with powerful chariots could sweep across battlefields and overwhelm its enemies. Nations measured security by the size of their cavalry and the skill of their warriors.

Israel lived in a land that everyone wanted. Positioned between Africa and Asia along major trade routes, it was the crossroads of empires. Egypt pressed from the south. Mesopotamian powers loomed from the north. The temptation to build a formidable military force and trust in visible strength must have been overwhelming.

Yet Scripture repeatedly warned Israel not to place its confidence there. God instructed that a future king must not multiply horses for himself. The prophet Isaiah rebuked those who looked to Egypt and its cavalry for help rather than seeking the Lord. The message was clear. Israel’s security did not ultimately depend on superior weapons or alliances. It depended on obedience.

Trusting in horses and chariots meant believing that human power could secure what only God could sustain. It was a subtle shift from dependence on the Lord to confidence in strategy, innovation, and visible strength. The people might still speak about God, but their hearts would lean on what they could count, measure, and display.

The psalmist offers a striking contrast. While others place their hope in military might, we trust in the name of the Lord our God. To trust in His name means to rely on His character, His faithfulness, and His covenant promises. It is a declaration that our future rests in who He is, not in what we can build.

Our world may not rely on literal chariots, but we have our own versions. We trust in technology, influence, education, networks, and resources. None of these are evil in themselves. The danger lies in allowing them to become our source of confidence. We can easily begin to believe that our security and impact depend on our ingenuity rather than on our obedience.

God never told Israel to neglect wisdom or preparation. He called them to remember who truly preserved them at the crossroads. Victory, stability, and endurance were gifts that flowed from faithfulness. When they obeyed, He defended them. When they turned away, no number of horses could save them.

The same question faces us. What gives us peace when uncertainty rises? What do we instinctively lean on when pressure builds? If those answers are rooted primarily in our own strength, we may be trusting in modern chariots.

The greatest witness we can offer in a world obsessed with power is quiet, steady trust in God. When we remain faithful to Him, even when other options seem more impressive, we proclaim that our hope is anchored in something greater than human ability.

PRAYER

Father, guard my heart from misplaced confidence. Teach me to trust in Your name above all else. Help me to remain obedient and faithful, knowing that You alone are my true security. Amen.