Is Your Trust in God Alone?
Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
The ability to war meant a great deal to kings and their people. The war-chariot and the horse brought great advantage to a nation for the purposes of defense and often conquest. Chariots evolved over time and became a primary means of aggression. Barnes describes the war-chariot as follows: "...it was the vehicle for carrying armed men into battle. These furnished great advantages in war, by the speed with which they could be driven against an enemy, and by the facilities in fighting from them. They were usually very simple. They consisted of "a light pole suspended between and on the withers of a pair of horses, the after end resting on a light axle tree, with two low wheels. Upon the axle stood a light frame, open behind, and floored for the warrior and his charioteer, who both stood within. On the sides of the frame hung the war-bow, in its case; a large quiver with arrows and darts had commonly a particular sheath. In Persia, the chariots, elevated upon wheels of considerable diameter, had four horses abreast; and in early ages, there were occasionally hooks or scythes attached to the axles."
The failure of many believers today is a failure to trust God alone. Many churches seem to depend on a particular methodology, or focus upon building inherent strength from within through worldly means and resources. If what we are doing today in our churches is so great, why haven't we had a national revival? Why do we continue to see moral decline in our nation? Why do we see individual believers not growing spiritually? I believe it is because we have placed our focus in the wrong places. Fleshly means and material resources will only produce people who are fleshly who focus upon material items. America is addicted to pleasure (including moral decadence), materialism, and whatever else feels good. We are like those described in Judges 17:6, "...every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
We must remind ourselves that our reliance can't be on anything except the living God. Yes, we need to be good stewards, faithful witnesses, obedient children, able to communicate the Bible in a relevant manner. But whatever we do, we must depend totally upon God! For it is God alone who can bring change to a nation, spiritual growth to individuals, and even revival to a nation."
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." 2 Corinthians 10:4
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. How have you learned to fully and solely trust the Lord?
2. Can you remember a time when you took matters into your own hands? How did that turn out?
3. Have you made a commitment to full and complete obedience to the Lord? Explain.