“Trust in the Lord and do good”
(Psalm 37:3)
Reflection:
This theme is common to all of Scripture. It is implicit in the first instructions given to humankind – to which their disobedience was a sign of mistrust. It is picked up by the Psalmist here. In Proverbs we are told to
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)
This is a trust that goes beyond sight, mind and emotions. Jesus completes it when He tells His followers, in the amazing context of betrayal, denial and desertion to come, to
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)
The trust that God is talking of is a total and absolute trust in Him. As we learn and understand from Scripture it is a trust at a depth and height that we would not have imagined. It is only possible because of who He is, and because of His great and unchangeable love for us.
Having acknowledged and accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, there is absolutely nothing, and no one, that can separate us from God. No matter what happens in our lives, or to our lives, our relationship with God, and our future with Him, is totally secure. He will be with us for every moment of this life, and will be with us through our passage into the next.
It is a trust that, in all circumstances in which we find ourselves, God is in control. Whether or not He changes the situation He will be with us and will bring us through. When we fall He will be there to help us up. When we sin He will be there offering us a way out, and waiting to forgive us when we repent and ask Him. When we are hurt or sick He will be with us to comfort and strengthen us. When we feel rejected, lonely, humiliated and in despair He will be with us to love, comfort and re-assure us.
He is certainly able to change any of our circumstances, but He is just as able to change us in the circumstances.
Having been saved by grace we do not remain saved through our work of keeping the law. It is God’s grace from start to finish. Our response is faith and trust in Him. Yes this faith must lead us into obedience – which is also a sign of our faith. But from start to finish we are ‘saved by grace through faith.’ This is not a licence to go on sinning -that is an insult. However there may be areas in our lives where we find it impossible to bring change through our own efforts. These should not drive us away from God, but instead send us back to Him again and again and again, until His love and power at work in our lives prevails and He sets us free!
It is this trust that enables us, in any situation in which we might find ourselves, to avoid becoming totally self-absorbed, and to remember others. It is Jesus on the Cross – forgiving His persecutors, giving salvation to the thief next to Him, remembering the needs of His mother. Total and unshakeable Trust in God.
Response:
Decide to trust God. Pray for the grace and strength to do so. Remind yourself regularly. Pray for His special grace and help where you need it. Keep reminding yourself – “I believe and trust in God.”
Prayer:
Father God, Thank You so much for Your wonderful love and commitment. Please help me to believe and trust in You more and more every day – and in all situations. In Jesus name. Amen.
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The Soaring Eagle 