Proverbs 21:31

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

We should prepare ourselves for battle daily—we are in a spiritual war. However, we must never place our faith in our weapons, but in God Himself. He is the victor and the one in whom we must trust.

Solomon loved horses because they were the most effective means of warfare in his day. A horse was agile, swift, and powerful against the enemy. Yet the kings of Israel were commanded not to “multiply horses” (Deut. 17:16), lest they become the nation’s source of hope rather than God (Isa. 31:3). The sin was not in owning some horses, but in allowing them to become the focus of Israel’s military strength instead of relying on the Lord. Solomon warns his sons of this very temptation.

Who or what are you relying on for victory in your life? Often, we depend on ourselves—a grave mistake. We can even place our faith in good and godly things, like the armor of God. While we are commanded to take up the whole armor of God so that we may withstand in the evil day (Eph. 6:13), our hope should not rest in the armor itself, but in the God who provides it. He alone brings victory. The sooner we recognize our total dependence on Him, the sooner we will walk in that victory. Amen?

Father, You alone are our victor. We thank You for the weaponry You’ve provided, but help us to trust in You alone to bring the victory. We are wholly dependent on You. Have Your way, we pray, in Jesus’ name—Amen.