02/29/2020
Trusting in God is not always easy, especially in the quiet times after our prayers have left our lips, and before His answer has become apparent to us, but in those hard times, Oh how our faith does grow. When we allow our hearts to lean on God’s strength, and we set aside our own reasoning, while depending solely on the understanding His Holy Spirit, we find our relief, and our strength abounds in His presence.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalms 73:26 ESV
When all is well it is easy to say we trust in God, and to call out to Him confidently in the name of Jesus. Saying we have faith in God in such times is similar to the ease that Jesus speaks of when He teaches us to love our enemies. Trusting God in the good times is like loving those who love us, when we are actually being told to love our enemies.
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Matthew 5:46 ESV
Trust is more than something we place our belief in when there is no other K outcome, trust is more than just a feeling of hope, it is believing not only that something might occur, but that although the times are uncertain, there is no other possible outcome. Trust is made perfect when we are in situations in which all the world is collapsing around us, and yet we stand firm in the knowledge that we will not only be saved, but that our salvation has already been secured.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,”
Psalms 46:1-2 ESV
I like to watch old war movies, because they are exciting, and I especially like those in which there is a last minute rescue. You know the ones... a company of men has been asked to hold a hill against incredible odds, the commander has been told that rescue is on the way, and despite the fact that they could retreat and save themselves they stand firm... trusting that help will arrive before the last of them is killed. Then, when all seems lost, and they are about to be overrun, the relief forces charge in and save the day. The men on the hill begin to cheer and fight with renewed strength, and the rescuers drive back the attackers. This is trust, and truth... the men on the hill trusted that help would arrive, and the rescuers did exactly as they promised.
Abraham believed that God would charge in at the last minute of his life, and give him children, despite the fact that this appeared impossible. Likewise,In our lives we must hold the hills, and trust in God to do exactly as His Word promises. When we hold firm to our trust in the Lord, and remain convinced that God is able... we are more that proven right, we are counted as righteous.
“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."”
Romans 4:20-22 ESV
There are huge challenges in our lives, and when we are facing them the outcome is often uncertain to any reasonable person, but to those of faith who have sought God, and know His will, the end is more than just a possibility... it is as good as done. In this way their trust is complete. We are made to see this in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as God shows us that His promises are true, and He is trustworthy.
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
So how complete is the trust we have in God? Do we only trust Him in the good times when it is easy to do so, or do the hard times of our lives bear witness to the absolute faith and trust we have in Him? Is our hope rewarded, and does our trust, and belief, relieve our fears?
“While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."”
Mark 5:35-36 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the faithfulness in which you honor your every promise. Thank you for your Son Jesus in whom we see the ultimate example of how far you will go to make your Word live in perfect truth. Help us Holy Father to lean on you, and believe unwaveringly that you will never falter, go back on, or quibble over, any promise you have made. Give us the strength of faith to close our eyes in the presence of our enemies, and trust in you to save us, to take your hand and run with us against a troop. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God of truth and promise. Mighty are you who leads us through the hard times, and gives us comfort in the good. Worthy are you of our trust, and absolute faith, because you never fail us, and your Word is truth. Praised be your name Lord, and by your faithfulness, all glory rests forever in you... our God, and the vessel of our eternal confidence.
“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
Psalms 18:29-30 ESV
Rich Forbes