Okay, truth game. I am going to ask you a question. Be honest with your answer. Ready? What do you trust in? What do you really trust in? Let me offer what I think are some of the top answers.

• Hard work. If I work hard, I can achieve everything I want to achieve. Now, God is all about us being industrious in our endeavors, but trusting in our capabilities alone is trusting in human effort.
• Degrees. I must have a certain degree to do a certain thing that I want to do with my life. That’s pretty much true but trusting in a degree alone is relying on self-achievement.
• Relationships. Some people pervert the richness of relationships into a desire that leads them to do anything to be accepted, loved, or needed. Depending on relationships for identity and fulfillment is trusting in a person or persons.
• Government. I love our country and participate fully as a citizen. But counting on the government to keep me safe and fed is trusting in a human institution.
• Money. The emotion of the Great Depression is often described in one word—panic. The emotion of the recent downturn was not far from that same sentiment. Jesus was clear that we cannot serve God and money. Trusting in wealth is placing our reliance on a manmade economy.

Our proverb reminds us today that we are responsible for getting the horse ready for battle…but God provides the victory. Our trust is in him.

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

We work diligently, earn the appropriate degrees, develop healthy relationships, pray and participate as informed citizens, and use our money as good stewards. However, we mustn’t trust in any of these things alone. Victory rests with the Lord. All these things are a “vain hope for deliverance; despite all [their] strength [they] cannot save” (Psalm 33:17 NIV). And certainly, some will trust in “chariots and some in horses,” but for believers, “we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7 NIV). Now, back to my question: What do you really trust in?

Father, I know the right answer, but sometimes, it is so hard to follow up with the right action. I know you are trustworthy, but I sometimes trust in other things to get what I think I need. As I “prepare the horse for battle,” I sometimes forget where victory will come from. Forgive me. May my trust always be in you alone.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.