Fill in the Blank
By Elin Henderson
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
Psalm 20:7 (NKJV)
Let's carefully do a little "fill in the blank" here with Scripture, changing it up to make it more practical for us today. When was the last time you really had a faith-failure because you were trusting in horses and chariots? Not recently, I would guess! However, taking a look at the verse above, I know that in my own life, I could fill in those very blanks with quite a few other things. And even more, I realize that at times, I am placing my faith and trust in the wrong places!!
It's a bit of a personal challenge. Each one has to honestly consider: In what am I placing my trust? "Some trust in time and some in money... Some trust in friends and some in family...some trust in careers and some in retirement...." The options are limitless, and each of us has our own set of answers. These things, in themselves, are not wrong, but they must never prevent us from realizing that our focus and our trust must always be centered upon on one thing: "...but we will remember the name of the LORD our God!" Other things can fail us, let us down, and slip from our fingers, but He will never leave nor forsake us.
No matter how great or small the battle, may our eyes be fixed on the spiritual, the invisible, the infinite... and not on the physical, visible and finite. So, next time you find yourself wavering and the battle grows strong, take a little time and think to yourself, what am I filling in the blanks with right now? What could I easily run to as a source of power and help instead of the Lord? Then, remember His name and all He promises to do as our great Deliverer and Defender!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you know those who are struggling in a battle right now? How can you use Scripture to point them to the LORD as they face their battles? Once He's in first place and the course is set in the right direction, what resources (church? family? friends? counselors?) can you help provide for the battle?
FURTHER READING:
II Chronicles 20:15; Psalm 24:8; Proverbs 21:31
Oakwood's missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to eleven-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.
