Psalm 20 – Day 1

“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God." – Psalm 20:7 NLT

When your problems are solved and you've made it to the other side of your predicaments, to whom will you give the credit? Too often we end up giving ourselves a pat on the back for our ingenuity, determination and problem-solving skills. We unknowingly "boast" in our own power of self-preservation. We begin to believe that we can get ourselves out of any situation, given enough time, money, and patience. But David knew differently. He had learned from experience that when he encountered trouble, his first response should be to cry out to God. He knew that God was far more reliable and powerful – even though he was a king with all kinds of resources at his disposal. Whether it was a need for deliverance from an enemy or the fulfillment of a desire, David had learned to take everything to God. Nothing was too big or too small for God to handle. David knew that God answered prayer because He had done so in the past. God had delivered him before. God had saved, directed, and provided victory on more than one occasion, so David was more than willing to go back to the most reliable source he knew – God.

David's power was not determined by the size of his army, but by the object of his faith. As long as he turned to God and focused his faith on Him, David knew he had all the power he needed to face any difficulty, defeat any foe, and survive any situation. David says, "we boast in the name of the Lord our God." That word "boast" can be better translated "call to mind or remember." David seems to be saying that, in times of trouble, we recall the character of God and lean on Him, not ourselves. We depend on His strength, not ours. We rely on His salvation instead of our own. Human strength is no match for God's power. Human intelligence is a poor substitute for God's wisdom. Turning to God will always turn out better in the long run.

Father, You have a long track record of success and faithfulness. Yet we continue to turn elsewhere when times get tough. Continue to teach us to trust You alone, to turn to you first and to rely on You to the end. You will not disappoint. Amen