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

Have you ever noticed how easy tests are when you know all the answers to the questions?  It’s the stuff we don’t know or forget that gives us problems.  If you are being prepared for an important test of some sort or an inspection by a mentor/coach, do you want them to focus on what you know?  Or, would you prefer that they look for weaknesses that need to be strengthened?  Both are important.

One of the important lessons that I’ve learned through reading the Bible is that God has a real penchant for putting His people into situations that will test them.  What are they going to do?  How will they respond?  Sometimes they murmur and complain.  Sometimes they seek Him.  There are times when they cry out to Him because of the threats they are facing, but other times when they don’t.

Today’s verse speaks to our God calling us to trust in Him rather than the things of strength surrounding us.  He wants to create within us an inclination to trust Him that is like a compass needle always pointing north.  No matter what circumstances we face – however trivial or momentous – we will always turn ourselves to the Lord.  We must not become careless about this.  The Bible contains many warnings about not trusting the Lord, but a powerful one is found in Isaiah 31:1.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.”

The issue is looking to the Lord first and often.  We inquire of Him as David did.  He might direct us to seek help from a source, but it’s important that such direction comes through prayer and commitment to Him.  He uses all kinds of resources in our behalf, but He wants our trust to be first and foremost in Him.  Our daily prayer life will go a long way towards keeping this from becoming perfunctory.  He intends that our trust be rooted in a genuine, rich relationship with Him.