Apparently it’s a quote from a movie 20 years ago, but it’s a quote that comes to mind this morning as I hover some wise words of wisdom. While it’s important to put the emphaSIS on the right syllaBLE, when it comes to Proverbs 21:31, I’m not sure you really can put the wrong emPHAsis on the wrong sylLABle.

A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory comes from the LORD.

(Proverbs 21:31 CSB)

Likely a familiar proverb for those familiar with the proverbs. Also likely that not too much noodling is required to get the point, i.e., when all is said and done, what God has said will be done. When the going gets tough, deliverance is ultimately dependent on the LORD’s purposes and not our preparation. The first part of the proverb sets up the main point of the proverb; victory comes from the LORD. That’s the right emphasis.

But what if we chew on the “wrong” emphasis for a bit. Isn’t it true that the horse should in fact be prepared for the day of battle (in those days at least)? If we’re being real about trials and temptations, isn’t it wise to also be ready for trials and temptations? I’m thinkin’ . . .

While we trust in the LORD and His power to save, we are not to test the LORD through our presumption (Mt. 4:6-7). While we look to the LORD alone for our rescue, I don’t think that it means when it comes to being ready to be rescued, we are to be reckless. If we’re gonna be serious about “fighting the good fight” (1Tim. 6:12), if we really want to be a “good soldier” (2Tim. 2:3-4), and if horses are the way the fight is fought, then I’m thinking horses need to be prepared.

WE PUT ON the whole armor of God so that WE CAN STAND against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11). But who enables us to stand? Cue the Sunday School 101 answer: God, “the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4b). WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT to add to our faith so that we won’t become “ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Pet. 1:5-8). But where does the fruit come from? Cue it again: Jesus. He’s the Vine, we’re the branches and only as we abide in Him do we “bear much fruit.” “For,” says Jesus, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).

Yes, the battle is the LORD’s, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare the horse for the day of battle. In fact, doesn’t it kind of presuppose it?

While it’s not by might, nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the LORD (Zec. 4:6), shouldn’t we be mindful of wanting to give the Spirit something to work with? I think about Jesus telling His disciples that on the day they stand before accusers and persecutors to give an account for their faith that they should not “be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk. 12:11-12). But wasn’t Jesus also constantly pulling them aside to teach them and then exhorting them to have “ears to hear”? Yeah, He was. He was preparing them for the day of battle. And in that day, the Spirit would give them the words that were needed because they had taken in the word when it was available. The victory would come from the LORD, but the horse was still to be prepared for the day of battle.

Sure, the right emphaSIS here is that only the LORD wields the power for salvation. But’s it’s not a wrong emPHAsis to also recognize we need to be prepared to work out our salvation (Php. 2:12).

So, let’s saddle up!

By His grace. For His glory.