Stop Betting on the Horses

Too often people become either secure, or anxious, because of earthly things, rather than trust in the One who "reins" in heaven.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
    and rely on horses,
    and trust in chariots because they are many,
    and in horsemen because they are very strong,
    but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel,
    and they don’t seek Yahweh!


Image by Yenni Vance from Pixabay

Transcript

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When people gamble, they tend to place bets on things in which they are confident.

In horse racing, the better will look at things like the horse’s strength & speed, race history, pedigree, etc. before placing a wager.

Sometimes they’re right, but often they’re not.  The reason is: there are just too many variables and outside forces to account for. 

Now, horse racing is comically simple when compared to the complexities of life.  

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 9:11 “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong” meaning, things don’t always follow the obvious path… because life is an enigma, influenced by things we can’t see.

David wrote in Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

David is referring to ancient armies which used chariots and horses in battle.  Some armies’ chariots were noted and feared for their speed, and some armies were known for having horseman who could fight while riding.  But David is critical of those who put confidence in those things over God.

 We still make that mistake today.  Undetectable missiles and cyber warfare.  But it also could be political parties or social movements.  We get excited when those we favor have success, and then become fearful and discouraged when those which we disapprove of start to get momentum.  But if our trust is in Christ the Solid Rock, we don’t have that extreme, inward seesaw of confidence & joy and then sadness & turmoil.  But rather… Peace.

Since the scriptures teach we should pray for our leaders; let’s do that and try to leave these things in God’s hands the best we can… and let’s stop betting on the horses.