Before writing this letter, the Lord had been speaking to me about the topic of trust and for me to encourage you about the topic. For at least the next two months, I want to do exactly that and help you obtain a deeper understanding of biblical trust.
Movie quotes always seem to spark sermon ideas and assist in emphasize the thoughts that I want to illustrate concerning God’s wonderful plan and future He has for our lives. For example, as I was preparing for this letter the scene from the Disney movie Aladdin rushed into my mind where Jasmine is standing on the balcony of the palace and Prince Ali Ababwa, aka Aladdin, comes to take her on a magic carpet ride. Princess Jasmine asks Prince Ali, concerning the carpet, “Is it safe?” to which Aladdin, with extended hand responds, “Of course, do you trust me?” This question is one that required a response from the Princess and which opened her eyes to a whole new world…insert song here.
I know what you’re thinking, “Did he really just use an Aladdin analogy?” Yes, I did, but stay with me, as it will help us grasp the trust principles that I believe to be imperative to life.
As we stand on the proverbial balcony of life, I believe that God’s gracious hand is faithfully reaching out to us filled with promises that ensure a full and satisfying life as He asks, “Do you trust Me?” Oh, sure there’s persecutions and hardships resisting God’s plan, but as Paul stated in 2 Timothy 2:11 “…out of them all the Lord delivered me.” All of God’s promises for our lives are yes and amen and are to be counted on continuously. So, what initiates and begins our life adventure with God? The answer is simply—TRUST!
Trust is always IN something—allowing all of your weight to be held by it. Our forefathers understood this reality and placed the phrase In God We Trust on our currency to declare the simple truth that money cannot produce or fulfill the desires of our hearts. God alone is able to manifest such demands and those that dare believe such are lifted to a safe and secure position. We see this in 1 Timothy 6:17 which reads, “…do not trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all thing to enjoy.” Ultimately, trust is what is exchanged for the promises or words of commitment that have been given. Only when we become fully persuaded that these promises are true, will we lean on them confidently.
Divine truth is a prerequisite to full trust and complete trust is obtained when there is a belief that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Without absolute truth, trust becomes fickle and easily transferred to other voices that promise abundance, security and fulfillment—yet their words are spoken with deception.
“What we place our trust in reveals what we believe to be true.”
We have seen this played out in our communities, country and world. Our eyes and hearts are sought after by new formulas of truth that are mixed with lies and then presented as safe. Our trust, if allowed, is then shifted from its original origin and placed on that which is relevant to culture. Sadly this is not genuine truth and is not worthy of our trust. Romans 1:25 says, “…who exchange [mix] the truth of God for a lie…” True, full weight trust can only be given to the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the One who is not only able to make promises, but by the word of His power uphold and bring them to pass—the One who created all things, and has given each its purpose, nature and life. It is only when we allow the deceiver, who brings confusion into the conversation, that we have compromised truth and weakened trust.
I want to finish with one of my life verses, in Proverbs 3, which I would say is the main text in every study of trust.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
The temptation is to trust in our own understanding and lean not to the Lord with all our hearts. This is the formula of pride and destruction. There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is death.
Praise God! We are those that have our full trust in God’s Son Jesus Christ who is FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH and those that trust in Him will never be ashamed!
To be continued…
Stay alert and encourage each other with the hope that is found in Jesus, for our redemption draws nigh and our time of departure is closer than ever before.