Psalm 20:7 “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.”
Dear Kids,
Emily and our Tennessee Walking horse, Sonny!
Where do you go to find safety and security? Many of us turn to friends, parents, or counselors, for comfort and wisdom in times of distress. Others rely on their bank account or their connections with rich or important people to create a sense of confidence or procure help in time of need. God has given us all of these blessings for companionship, love, and support during difficult times, but sometimes we forget that our greatest source of help and protection comes from God Himself.
Some Think Military Status Ensures Safety
In ancient times kings measured the strength of their armies by the number of their horses and chariots. The more they had, the safer they felt. Today nations are no different. The status of the military often determines the perceived security a country feels. During the 1980s when I was a young teenager I remember that our nation participated in an arms race with the Soviet Union. Presidents have emphasized the importance and necessity of a strong military and weapon system to keep ahead of other countries. By staying on top our government believed they could much better ensure the safety of our country and citizens.
A strong military is important, but even the strongest can’t protect against surprise assaults such as occurred on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center was attacked. No one knew this atrocity was coming and the people of the United States suffered huge losses in lives, businesses, buildings, and normalcy. Our sense of safety crumbled with the debris from the twin towers as they collapsed onto the New York City streets.
God is Our Constant Source of Help and Security
David, the writer of Psalm 20 was a powerful king. He had many enemies and participated in numerous wars. But this godly monarch recognized that the number of generals, horses, chariots and weapons he had could never be his source of security. His boast was only in the name of the Lord, His God. God delivered him from the fearsome giant, Goliath, when he carried only a sling and a stone. God protected him from the life-threatening schemes of jealous King Saul. And God would be David’s constant source of help and security throughout his whole life.
On what do you rely for safety and security? Is it your family, your finances, your country’s military, or your own ingenuity? None of these are failsafe. Like King David we must recognize that our boast should not be in all the people and earthly support systems we have at our disposal. Do not boast in horses or chariots. Instead boast of the security found in the name of the Lord, your God.
Love,
Mama
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The end of 2019 has whipped around us like a strong wind blowing us into a season of monumental changes. Life is never static. Year after year new opportunities present themselves, deep losses bring sorrow, and new relationships spring forth. Some of these changes are scary, and some are exciting, but we all must develop flexibility. No matter how hard we try to keep things the same we will fail. There is only one thing – one Person – Who always remains the same. He is the stability we all long for and to Whom we must hold on.
Just days before Christmas, we had the privilege of meeting and hosting the family of our soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Dalia’s parents, sister, brother-in-law, and sweet niece secretly arrived around 2 AM on December 20th. Both families spent time together talking and connecting as we waited to help celebrate Nathan & Dalia’s engagement. There was much scurrying around as the sisters in both families prepared to hide in the bushes at the nearby park to capture the moment of the big ask on camera. Two lives, two families of very different backgrounds preparing to move forward into the New Year and beyond together.
Christmas! It’s the time of year when kids try to be extra good. They know that Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty and nice. The nice children will receive good gifts on Christmas morning. But the naughty ones will be disappointed. They will only receive coal in their stockings. So during the month of December the disobedient try to make up for lost time with the hopes of getting back into Santa’s graces.
