Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Children trust loving fathers, not because they understand everything they say, but because they are sure of their father’s love. However, some children with loving dads accept their love, but reject their control. Raising such a child can literally be a tug of war.
As children of God, we might say we trust our heavenly Father, but when we reject His control, we show that our trust is not complete. Many Christians have no problem trusting God in some areas of their lives while in others they doubt His love and sovereignty.
As a result of the loss of his son, Rabbi Kushner wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People. One chapter is entitled “God can’t do everything, but He can do some important things.” His conclusion is that God is good, but He is limited by what He can do. The fact that it was a bestseller is evidence that people are interested in this subject. Some who reviewed the book said it made them feel better about God. Some would rather believe that since life is not fair, God is not in control.
Limiting God in any way limits the areas in which you believe you can trust Him. There will always be circumstances in your life when you won’t understand what God is doing. You can’t and I can’t understand because God has a totally different and perfect perspective. He sees what we do not see and He knows what we do not know.
Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges helps give the proper perspective. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we should trust Him no matter what happens.
Trusting God is Literally the Center of His Word
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8 – located in the center of the Bible).
If we really believe that God is our Heavenly Father whom we can trust, then we know that whatever He allows in our lives is ultimately for our good.
Trust is a Choice
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3).
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7).
As a child of God, trust in your heavenly Father should be a predetermined choice. He is trustworthy.
“I rather like the small boy’s version of the hymn Trust and Obey when he said that at Sunday school they had been singing “Trust and O. K.” Good! Everything must be O. K. if the life has been committed to His precious keeping. There is no other way.” – Expositor
© Stephanie B. Blake
September 2012
One Focus Ministries 