WEEK 2, DAY 12: TRUST
Scripture Reference: Mark 12:1-2;41-44
Seven years ago I had the flu along with all three of my children, ages 4, 4, and 2. It was awful. My husband was in residency and had worked incredible long hours. We all four had high fevers that were not brought down by medicine. Late one night, bleary-eyed, I gave my son his dose of medicine and felt his oh-so-hot forehead. His pitiful little voice asked, “Mommy, are you coming back to check on me?” I promised him I would, to check on him and give him more medicine as soon as I could. I left his room in tears that he trusted me, lying there in the dark, burning up with fever. He was so sick, but he knew that I would come back soon and check on him because I promised.
TRUST
Anyone who has ever been disappointed, disillusioned with church, blindsided by death or betrayal, might struggle with the idea of trusting God. And yet, we see in Scripture a mandate or encouragement to do just that. Proverbs 3:5 and 6, a familiar passage, says, “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart, rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.” (TPT) The Amplified Bible says it like this, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind…” Psalm 37:3 says, “Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on his faithfulness.” (TPT)
WHY IS TRUST SO HARD?
So, if God is faithful, and His love abundant, why is it hard? It is my belief that the answer is made clear in Kenneth Boa’s book Conformed to His Image. In Chapter 5 called “Paradigm Spirituality: Can we trust God?” the author explains that all of life is a battle between an earthly, temporal reality and an eternal, heavenly reality. Each with their own paradigms and value systems. He gives three examples here: “…the world promotes pleasure as an end in itself. It implies that people who are willing to forgo earthly pleasures in their pursuit of the ways of God are missing out on the good life.
The Word says that knowing God is the greatest pleasure of all God is the Source of true pleasure…The world exalts recognition and approval of people. The Word exhorts us to desire the approval of God…The world tells us to pursue fame and popularity…in contrast, the Word calls us to emulate the servanthood of Christ.” It makes sense to look at it this way – when I feel afraid, or inclined to disobedience, what am I valuing in this moment? What is most important to me? Are my priorities lined up with culture or with heaven? Kenneth Boa says, “Obedience flows out of trust and we will obey either the devices and desires of our own hearts or the word of Him who made us, loves us, and redeemed us.” How do we know if the desires of our hearts are in conflict with God’s word? Diligent study of God’s word and solid teaching help there.
PROMISES OF GOD
What do we do if we know our desires and values are in conflict with God’s word? We go back to Psalm 37 – we fix our hearts on the promises of God and rest secure in His faithfulness, we feed securely on His faithfulness. Even though tangible and temporal things and their rewards are often immediate and temporarily satisfying, God has great and precious promises for those who prioritize the unseen and eternal. Those rewards are just as real, even if they are still to come. If He promised it, He will do it, because He is faithful.
— Bethany Pedigo, Vineyard Bowling Green
Time to contemplate:
- What are some areas where you struggle to trust God?
- Find some Scriptural promises that pertain to that area and commit to read them with the Holy Spirit, asking for supernatural revelation to your heart
Pray:
Would you pray with me? Father, You are a perfect and good father. I thank You for Your faithfulness to me my whole life long. I thank You that I can trust Your words and Your thoughts and Your intentions towards me. Even though this world is passing away, and it has a hold on my affections, I thank You that as I love You more, I love eternal things more and more, and I fix my heart on things above. Help me to trust You and obey You in all things, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
