Where Do We Place Our Trust?
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God”
As I read this today during my devotional time, I highlighted it and spent a few minutes thinking about this question.
Where do we place our trust?
And that in this passage, there is (and should be!) a contrast or difference wherein our trust is placed (as followers of Jesus) and where we see others place their trust.
Eugene Peterson, in the Message, renders it as such:
“See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses?
But we’re making garlands for God our God.
The chariots will rust,
those horses pull up lame—
and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.”
And I wondered what the modern-day equivalent would be. Perhaps it would be something like, "We see people preparing their resumes, dusting off their accolades and trusting in themselves - but we are trusting in the God who is both seen and unseen." I'm not a Bible scholar, but I think the heart of this message is that the reader (i.e. me, and you) should be challenged to ask ourselves this question vis-a-vis how we see those without our beliefs and faith, choosing to live their lives.
And I don't think this passage is a slam or diss against non-believers (or not-yet believers), but I think it is a clarion call to remind us (i.e. me) that I'm supposed to be different.
So, I think that I close my Bible and think, after reading this, that in order to say these words honestly (or sing this psalm, without any skill or pitch!), I need to evaluate (with the Holy Spirit) where my trust is placed.
For me, the struggle is placing it on myself. And sometimes, on others.
Yet, there is a beautiful (and at times, difficult) way in which we are called to live. Giving up control and trusting in God. For me, it's still a daily thing.
I'm constantly being reformed, rennovated and renewed.