At Our Side
Imagine, you are a king. At your side, stand attendants, eagerly awaiting every command and longing to address any particular need that may arise. Just beyond the inner circle gathered around your throne in nearby quarters, are more advisors who are ready and waiting to give guidance and direction to any problem confronting your kingdom. Further away but certainly available are the commanders, captains and soldiers, that will defend, fight and give their lives at your beckoning call because they have sworn their undying loyalty and faithfulness to you and your reign as their king. With all this available assistance to facilitate a solution and the authority to quell any rebellion and deal with any enemy, it would seem, you as the king, would need no other source of strength and power. Yet, with all of these assets, you sense a vulnerability and uncertainty as to whether you and your army are strong enough to fight your enemies and whether all the advice is accurate and wise.
The great King of Israel, named David, wasn’t ashamed to admit, he felt vulnerable, uncertain as he dealt with doubts in the ability of those gathered around him and those sworn to defend him. He knew there was a certain innate frailty and weakness in every human soul, even in those gathered around him. He knew there was no guaranteed victory, no matter how experienced his army was and how mighty they might seem. He knew the only knowledge and insight that was always right and always true, came only from His living God and there was only one place of power that was superior to every army that would ever come against him and this came from the mighty hand of his Lord. How is it with us? Who do we listen to? Who do we trust and where do we look for knowledge and insight? Where do we look for power in our lives and victory over every situation and difficulty that comes our way?
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright. Save us, Lord! Let the King hear us when we call. (Psalm 20:7-9, KJ21)
