Week 27
Psalm 20:7 “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.”
Nothing reveals the human heart more than boasting, and nothing glorifies the Lord more than boasting in the Lord. What a person talks about and boasts about reveals a great deal about him. Our focus in life, and indeed the love of our hearts, comes into view when we talk. And whatever we boast about shows our trust and our love.
The psalmist challenges an approach to life that essentially trusts in and boasts about human assets and abilities. People boast about themselves, and people boast about others.
There is an appropriate way to recognize and give thanks for faithful service, a life well-lived, and gratitude for the generosity given. But boasting adds another dimension; boasting shows where our faith and hope are located. If a person boasts in “chariots and…in horses”, this means that we are depending upon human (material) resources and strength. Yes, God does use means, and we must accept and properly take care of legitimate responsibilities and duties. But never at any time should God’s people trust in human capacity, planning, creativity, or accomplishment for those things that God has called us to do.
Our text states, “We will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” Our lives as God’s people are lived in the rich soil of faith in God. As Paul says, “We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).”
As we Christians give ourselves to the matters at hand, we seek to honor the Lord, trusting in His grace (which is all-sufficient, see 2 Corinthians 12:9) and provision to undergird, support, strengthen, and accomplish that which fits within the scheme of God’s holy will. And when God’s mercy and grace are demonstrated in our lives, we will give all the glory to the Lord.
The Bible says, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31), which is quotation from Jeremiah 9:23-24 which reads, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understand and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, declares the Lord.”
Boasting in the Lord is extolling His power and virtue; boasting in the Lord gives honor and praise to God for His interventive and providential goodness. Boasting in the Lord gives God the credit. Boasting in the Lord is humbling to us and puts the spotlight on the Lord God for His power, mercy, and grace.
Christian friend, let us learn the joy of trusting in the Lord; let us seek to wait on the Lord. Let us be faithful in His calling and tasks but let us never forget that we are totally dependent upon the Lord for all things. When His kingdom work is blessed, He gets the glory. There is great joy and comfort in this.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for allowing me to work with You in Your service and kingdom. Thank You for Your blessings in this work. Help me to give myself unreservedly to You, and grant that I may be strengthened to be faithful in that service for Your glory and honor always. Amen.