Trust is a major issue many people deal with all over the world, particularly when it comes to the Lord. Trust is really faith and explained in Hebrews 11:1-3. The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.[1]
Faith is not figuring everything out and faith is not reason. I have yet to hear someone tell me “I can’t figure out the physics of a thermal combustion engine, so I won’t drive a car.” Yet that same type of logic is often applied to God. When you look at in that light that argument soon falls apart.
Trusting the Lord is really developing a relationship with Him. As we read God’s word and are open to being led by the Holy Spirit, we begin to develop a trust in the Lord. We find out that others may let us down, but the Lord does not. Others may lie to us, but the Lord can be counted on to tell us truth. When we struggle with trust, we can pray and ask the Lord to help us. He understands our weakness and is always there to help us, comfort us and reassure us through the work of the Holy Spirit and His word.
Lack of trust can hold us back from what God wants to do in our life. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” [2] The world is like a dark path and God word enables us to see where to go along our spiritual journey. We live in a world where trust must be earned and seems to be in short supply. But King Solomon, the son of King David, has given us true wisdom about trusting in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [3] My first inclination is to trust in myself, but as I surrender to the Lord, I learn that He is much better at guiding me than I am.
Jeremiah, the prophet, developed a deep trust for the Lord over a long period of time. Often, what the Lord called Jeremiah to do was difficult, but he trusted the Lord and carried out the Lord’s desires.
Where is the Lord calling you to trust in Him in a greater way? How would trusting more in the Lord change your life?
To hear more of Jeremiah’s story listen here:
To hear more teaching on this story, listen here:
[1] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Heb 11:1–3). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[2, 3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ps 119:105, Pr 3:5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.