Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
We know we should trust God. Christians say that all the time. “Trust the Lord, it will be okay.” It sounds wonderful, but what does it mean? When we trust God, what are we trusting Him for? This is where we fail in our exercise of trusting God.
First, let it be noted, that God is always enough for every situation. Paul’s famous words “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” come right after he describes his own bouts with hunger and abundance, exaltation and humiliation. The Christian’s experience is not a one sized fits all approach to trust, it is a call to dig deeper in our understanding of our Creator and discover the endless reasons and resources to believe Him in spite of all contrary evidence we may experience.
The question concerning our trust in God is simply this: What about Him are we trusting?
Are you facing fears? Then trust His ever present reality in the midst of them: Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Are you facing threats? Then trust His sovereignty over all enemies: Psalm 141:8 (NLT) I look to you for help, O Sovereign LORD. You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.
Are you facing needs? Then trust His riches in glory. Trust His ownership of all things and love for you: Philippians 4:19 (ESV) And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:32 (ESV) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Are you being tempted? Then trust His promise to provide a way of escape: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Are you going through something that I have not mentioned? Then get to know the God of all you need for whatever you face by opening His Word. Yes, this will require diligence on your part to seek who He is and what He has promised. Then you should write down those promises for that next time you face the obstacle that had you baffled.
The point is not to generalize God into an enigmatic “higher power” you can create in the image of yourself. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to worship a God like me. I know me, I would make a terrible, unfair, unreliable god. But the God of scripture has been revealed so that we might come to TRUST Him because we have come to know Him and who He is as all we ever need.
Perhaps it’s time for you to know Him as Father, provider, forgiver, cleanser, rescuer, savior… He’s all those things and more.
Trust me.
