IN GOD WE TRUST
It’s easy to put our trust in our feelings, our intellect, or the words of others. But God would have us trust in Him above all else. Certainly, this is something to pray about each day.
Eternal Perspectives By Sally Bair
Trust and Obey
My heart quaked when my husband Don and I faced a washed-out bridge in British Columbia. How could I cross that tilted, rickety contraption without falling way-y-y down into the raging stream beneath? But if I didn't, we'd have to go back and miss out on our planned camping experience. The 100-foot-long deck tilted sharply, and the railing on the downside had been damaged. Don realized how untrusting I was of the bridge. He took my backpack across after depositing his own safely on the other side, then returned to help me. Even so, I crawled on my knees, one hand clutching the upper railing, the other helping my knees propel me forward. Don held onto my arm. Finally, across, I inhaled a huge chunk of air into my lungs and we proceeded down the trail.
As untrusting of the bridge as I was, I admit there are many things that I do trust—foolishly—such as weather reports, my independence and my strength, and the advice of others (I've always been rather gullible). But none of these things are reliable. The weather reporter is often wrong. My own strength usually gets me nowhere. And sometimes the counsel of other people is way off base. In whom can we trust, then?
The Bible tells us not to listen to ungodly counsel but to God’s words. We are not to trust in our strength but in God's power and strength. We are not to trust in our accomplishments or the stuff we accumulate but in the treasures of God's Kingdom. We are not to trust in our own plans but in His purposes. We must not place too much trust in education either. Learning is not as important as wisdom. "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom…" (1 Corinthians 1:20) Nor should we put our entire trust in noteworthy, honorable people, such as deserving citizens, famous movie stars, and sports figures. Instead, our trust must be in God, who alone is trustworthy. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Lord, we pray that You will help us to trust not in the washed-out bridges of popularity or learning, or in the words and acts of others, or in our physical and emotional strength. Cause us instead to trust in You alone, with our whole heart, soul, and strength. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments