We Trust in the Name of the LORD Our God

Psalm 20:7–8
⁷  Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸  They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.

The events from this past weekend were startling. The assassination attempt of former President Trump was shocking. I opened my laptop to write on Saturday and saw the headlines as they began to flood the internet. I am thankful that the Lord spared President Trump’s life, and I grieve that there were lives lost.

As I consider the events from last Saturday and the many angles of interpretation people are applying to those events, I am reminded again of the frailty and uncertainty of life. Less than an inch and President Trump would have lost his life. I am reminded that even powerful men are always a breath away from eternity. One man who was not the intended target lost his life protecting his family. We are all frail and ultimately out of control. Death is truly no respecter of persons.

It is important that Christians check where our trust is found. On what foundation are we resting? In whom do we trust? Are we dependent upon physical strength and health? That can vanish in a millisecond. Are depending upon intelligence and personal wisdom? We can always misjudge and there will always be someone smarter or wiser. Are we depending upon military strength? History teaches us that weaker militaries have defeated supposedly invincible ones (Judges 7). None of these foundations are firm. They will crumble.

There is only one sure refuge, anchor of our faith, and firm foundation: Jesus Christ the Lord (Psalm 2:12, 46:1; Hebrews 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 3:11).

Ultimately, the Lord Jesus reigns (Psalm 2:6, 110:1; Acts 2:25-36). He is the One who has died and who is alive forevermore (Revelation 1:18). He has set limits of empires (Daniel 2:31-45; Daniel 7-8). He has determined the days of our lives before we were born (Psalm 139:16). His kingdom stands forever (Exodus 15:18; Daniel 2:44, 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33).

Where is your trust? In men? In wealth? In strength? In youth? In intelligence? None of these foundations stand.

I pray each person reading this post can say with confidence: “…we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7b).

A few other verses for your consideration:

Psalm 118:8–9 (ESV)
⁸  It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
⁹  It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

Psalm 146:3 (ESV)
Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

Isaiah 2:22 (ESV)
Stop regarding man
in whose nostrils is breath,
for of what account is he?