“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” (Pr 21:31 AV)
For me, this verse has particular application this morning. Note this verse does not prohibit amassing
horses against the day of battle. This is
wise and prudent. Solomon had a good
deal of horses and chariots. His father
before him amassed weapons of war. This is
not the wrong thing to do. And, this is
not what Solomon is indicating. There is
a balance here. The word of God tells us
to be wise and prudent. Scripture
indicates we should do everything we can to be responsible and safe. This is true for a nation. This is true for an individual. We put locks on our doors. We take vitamins or medication. We put up fences, handrails, and anti-skid
coatings. We do all this to protect what
God has given as an exercise of good stewardship. However, to be naïve to think all our precautions
can keep us safe without the hand of God is not realistic. God could, if He so desired, keep us from all
conceivable harm that we would not have to take any precaution. He could organize the economy of the world
that no matter what we did, or failed to do, we would not see any harm. But that is not how the LORD organized it
all. He expects us to learn responsibility
and FAITH!
Who hasn’t been afflicted by a bully or two? It is almost a right of passage. I have had a
lion’s share of it. Praise the LORD I
didn’t have a dad who made me completely fight my own battles. He wanted us to learn how to defend ourselves. He couldn't be there for every incident. But he wasn’t the kind of dad who refused to
come to his son’s defense if the need arose.
This was such the case in our neighborhood. There were a few times the neighborhood punks
took advantage of us. Even to the point
of physical beatings. We would travel in
pairs or trios. We would avoid certain
streets. We would ride our bikes
everywhere we could. We would get to know
friends in the neighborhood. However, from
time to time, no matter how careful we were, trouble found us. When we could come home a bit bruised, my father
would hop in the car and cruise around looking for our adversaries. On one such occasion, we had found them,
followed them, and my father confronted parents warning of police involvement
if they didn’t harness their children.
No matter how careful we were, we knew our father had us covered.
Whether it is a medical issue or a car issue, we can do what we can do
and should do, to ensure the best possible outcome. We carry insurance. We eat right.
We exercise. We get plenty of rest. However, no matter what we do, we cannot prevent
everything. This is where faith comes
in. Carry that insurance. Take care of yourself. Balance that checkbook. But in the end, the outcome is in the hand of
God. We cannot live without faith. This is why God created man. He created us to live according to faith in
Him. To do any less is to fail in our
purpose. When those safeguards fail, how
do we feel? Is God in control or isn’t He? Will He counter the offensive and bring
victory another way? Will He remain
faithful when we have done our best to be good stewards? Will He meet us in the time of need when the horses
have been hewn or the chariots were broken apart? Will He rescue when the precautions
fail? According to Solomon, that is
exactly how we should approach every battle.
We have resources. But those resources
are no guarantee. God is our
defense. And, our faith should settle
there.
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