Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [Pro 3:5-6 ESV]
This week we have looked at the fact that God’s Word is truth and the baseline for justice. We looked at the fact that God is in control and the comfort I can find in this truth when I know His character and nature. Today I want to look at the question: “Can I trust Him?”
Last time we looked at Scripture telling us of His faithfulness to promises. “Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.” [Psa 71:22 NLT] This is Scripture and truth, but what are His promises?
Here is a little of my story. My husband and I had two miscarriages back to back before having any children. This was a hard time, but a wonderful growing time in the Word. I had to learn that I was not promised a child. I was not Sarah. I was not Rebekah. This promise was never given to me. A child would never be proof of the amount of faith or trust I had in Him. God has promised me an inheritance. “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” [Eph 1:11 ESV] He has given me life from spiritual death and He works all things according to His will, not mine. I had to trust Him.
He was gracious and allowed my husband and I to become pregnant. The pregnancy was nothing unusual. The time came for our child to be born. I went 41 weeks with no sign of dilation. We induced, had complications, and went for an emergency c-section. At this time it was discovered that the placenta had died. My child and I would need to stay hospitalized 5 days for medicine and testing to make sure our blood wasn’t poisoned. My child was 24 hours from being stillborn. As I was wheeled into the surgery room I remember simply praying, “Lord, I trust you. Whether she lives or dies, Thy will be done.” There was nothing I could do but breath. So, do I trust God because my child lived. No, it’s not because of what He does or does not allow to happen to me or my loved ones that makes me trust Him. I trust Him because He’s God and His promises are true. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” [Rom 8:28 ESV] I knew whether she lived or died God would work this for good. He was in control, and above all else I wanted His will to be done.
I sit and wonder “why” many times. Why was my child spared while my friend’s child was not? Why did my friend have to die of cancer at 24? Why did my parents go through cancer? Why were two people diagnosed with the same cancer at the same time and one lived 3 months in isolation and died and the other still lives today? These are just a few of the tragedies I have seen in my short life. As someone told my husband when they visited us in the hospital, “30 years ago your wife and child would both probably be dead.” Our world and bodies are riddled with sin. We need a God we can trust.
O how I wish I had the faith of Job. After losing every worldly possession and all his children he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." [Job 1:21 ESV] Our God can be trusted, through the times of plenty and the times of drought. We can trust Him.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. [Psa 9:10 ESV]
For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. [Psa 33:21 ESV]
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! [Psa 40:4 ESV]
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Psa 56:11 ESV]
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah [Psa 62:8 ESV]
Through every heartache, every trial, my trust in God is strengthened. I have learned to trust Him and not my own understanding. There is so much in this world that I can never understand. As in Job, in everything, good or bad, we are to acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight. He is the plumb line.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you gone through a time when trusting God was hard?
- How has God shown you that you can trust Him?
The reflection song today is one that God used in my life in the trials and storms. I hope it helps you too.
Reflection Song:
