Psalm
20:7-8 Some trust in chariots and some in
horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but
we rise and stand upright.
A psalm of
kingship
This Psalm is a prayer
offered to God before the king went into battle against a threatening enemy.
David faced many enemies both inside and outside his kingdom. It seems that
sinful people are always challenging the rule and standing of God’s leaders.
Throughout the Bible we see instances of foreign armies coming against God’s
people. We see plots and schemes from within the circle of God’s people who
would seek to dethrone God’s anointed leaders. Even Jesus Christ, lowly and
meek, faced opposition because of his stand against false shepherds within
God’s flock.
Daily we face skirmishes and
battles against people, powers and cultural structures of leadership. As
followers of Christ we seek to be obedient to God above all other authorities.
Yet, we find from day to day our beliefs challenged by politicians at all
levels of government and bosses in our places of work. These people who oppose
the commands and wisdom of God’s Word merely represent the forces of evil and
spiritual battles that are all around us each day. If we are in tune with the
Holy Spirit, be sure that others people may be in tune with the Evil One.
The victory is already ours
because of Jesus Christ. No matter the worldly skirmishes we face, Christ is
victorious and is reigning over all creation. The “mopping up” of the defeat
forces in the heavenly realm are being waged on this side of heaven, too. Our
battles are won in faith not in with the conventional weapons of wealth,
physical strength, wisdom or status. We trust in Jesus Christ and in doing so
we will stand now and in the world to come.