Intro:How do you trust someone you do not know? Can you trust someone you do not know? What would it take? Would the recommendation of another friend be enough for you to trust someone you do not know?
We've seen examples in this series where trust was seriously abused (e.g. the story of the father that didn't catch his son when he jumped), how does that effect the ability to trust others?
For my money, trust is built on a track record over time.
When we come to the Scriptures we see a record of these very things in the person of God the Father and our Lord Jesus. The Scriptures almost beg us to trust Him based on His consistent track record over a long period of time.
Read:
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
Think:
The alarming thing in this passage is that invitation to trust the Lord. This should not be something we have to be commanded or invited to do. It should be a natural response to God's track record over time.
I can envision a friend inviting me to trust someone I have never met or worse yet, a friend urging me to return trust to one that has broken that trust ... but this invitation is alarming and even absurd.
The fact that we are encouraged/commanded to trust the Lord with all our hearts tells me something about my God. He is obviously very patient! If His track record over time is unquestioned, if He has only sought my good, if He pursued me when I ran away, if He is willing to sacrifice His son to be able to know me then He has proven his trustworthiness. His track record is solid. His word is his bond. He is golden. He is all these things and yet I need to be reminded to trust him! The fact that He call us to trust him when that trust is obviously warranted tells me that He is patient and gracious toward us.
If we maintain that God has a solid track record over time and if this is necessary to build and keep trust then we should have no issue with trusting God with all our hearts.
So, why do we struggle with trusting Him at times?
I am sure there are many answers to this difficult question but I want to pose just two potential options. God has given me new life in Christ. God has given me a new heart that seeks Him. God has loved me like no other has, can or will. God has proven to meet my needs.
So, why do we struggle with trusting Him at times?
Expectations.
And entitlement.
God has not given me a new BMW. I only make $42k year. I have not found a job yet. God let ___________ (fill in the blank) hurt me.
We've come to expect things from God that he has never promised. We can get a spirit of entitlement where we expect God to meet our wants as if they were needs. Incidentally, this is an attitude we resent in our children but excuse in ourselves. God said He would meet our needs not our cable bill or credit card debt. God said He would clothe us not give us the latest fashions.
God never said we would not be hurt in relationships. In fact, if we are to love others in this fallen world we will experience hurt, pain and broken trust. Somehow we expect God to rescue us from those things.
Does God have a proven track record over time? Yes! Is he trustworthy? Yes! Is he a genie in the sky giving us what we want? No! Will he shield me from all pain? No!
Do:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Reflect on his track record over time (the Bible) and what he has done in your life (salvation, protection, provision) and thank him. Ask forgiveness for things you might have charged God for that he is not guilty of. Ask him for abilities to trust him this week.
Samuel Rutherford, a pastor from the 1600s, said, "Welcome, welcome cross of Christ. If Christ be with it, it is well." Can you make the same claim? Do you trust Christ like that?
Seek first Him, and His kingdom. Be willing to say, "My kingdom GO!" so you can experience His kingdom come.
DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.
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