Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. — Psalm 20:7

This month, Israel honoured its fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in securing and protecting God’s Holy Land, and celebrated its 71^st anniversary as the modern Jewish State. Join us as we explore through the timeless teachings of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein how God has watched over His land and His people since biblical times.

Psalm 20 is among the most well-known of all psalms. In the Jewish tradition, it is part of the daily prayer service because it speaks to the various struggles that we grapple with daily. Its message is beautifully summed up in verse 7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” No matter what battle we are fighting in life right now, and no matter how much things seem to be not in our favour, God can help us be victorious.

This psalm, penned by King David, is reminiscent of his very first battle when he took on the giant Goliath. Everyone tried to talk him out of fighting the giant. David was just a boy, so small that the armour King Saul offered him only weighed him down, so he went into battle unprotected — in physical armour, that is. David came fully armoured in the most impenetrable armour that exists – David came clothed in the name of God. He said to the giant Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty . . . ” (1 Samuel 17:45). And with God’s help, David took that giant down.

Here’s another story from Israel’s not-so-distant past. In spring 2003, Israel was fighting a war. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were fairly successful, but a few battles were hard to win. The Israeli fighters described an incident where the morale was very low. Many soldiers had already lost their lives, and as a last resort, an Israeli general had threatened over the loudspeaker to send in F-16 fighter jets. It was an empty threat that neither the soldiers nor the enemy took seriously.

That is until a loud booming sound was heard moments later. At first, the soldiers were confused, but then they realized the sound was thunder, even though it was spring and in Israel, it almost never rains in the spring. The enemy was not as wise. They immediately surrendered. When asked why, they said, “We heard the sound of fighter jets and knew we were defeated.” God’s thunder won the battle. A modern-day miracle!

What battles are you fighting today? Call on the name of God. With God on our side, we can slay any giant and overcome all adversity. No matter how big the obstacles seem, our God is bigger. No matter how mighty the enemy might seem, our God is even stronger. Let God fight your battles today – and every day – and you will be victorious.