ConfidenceSample

Chariots and Horses

Have you ever stood on an untrustworthy bridge? When I was a child, my first experience on a swinging bridge was at Rock City Gardens in Tennessee. As I walked across, a kid began jumping to see if it would collapse. I was hanging on for dear life. Its swinging definitely shook my confidence. The thing with bridges is that once you are on them, you must get to the other side. My question for you is, “How are you going to get to the other side this year?” 

Our confidence is often built on who or what we trust. Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” There is history in this Scripture. In the ancient world, Egypt became one of the training centers for equestrian warfare. The Egyptians used a mighty fleet of chariots to intimidate and literally run over their enemies. Over time, other empires in the ancient world adopted this strategy of chariots and horses. It allowed a person to stand, shoot arrows and throw spears while moving rapidly against the enemy. Isaiah 31:1 says, “You are in for trouble if you go to Egypt for help or if you depend on an army of chariots or a powerful cavalry. Instead, you should depend on and trust the holy LORD God of Israel.”

The Assyrians were a fierce army north of Egypt; they were also known for their chariots. They became the most mobile army in history. In between Egypt and Assyria was the small kingdom of Judah, ruled by King Hezekiah. During the reign of King Hezekiah, Assyria was getting stronger. 

Assyria captured numerous cities of Judah and then surrounded Jerusalem. It is believed that an army of 200,000 Assyrians camped around Jerusalem. At the time, Jerusalem had about 25,000 people. It was 200,000 against 25,000; all that stood between them was a thin wall. 

King Hezekiah, overwhelmed and intimidated, sought the protection of the Egyptians. But Isaiah, who was a contemporary of Hezekiah, began to prophesy strongly against the alliance with Egypt, a nation that was becoming weaker. I encourage you to read Isaiah 30–31 for the full story. King Hezekiah listened to Isaiah and trusted God, and God honored and protected His people. 

Do you have the confidence needed for what is ahead in your life? The Scriptures say to cultivate God-confidence rather than self-confidence. Are you trusting in chariots and horses? Or is your trust in the Lord?