Are You Trusting or Fussing?

I love the Message translation of Proverbs 3:5-7.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health."

The subject I want to discuss this week is trust. The Webster's dictionary defines trust as the "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." Based on this definition of trust, we can conclude that God is calling us through His word, to learn to rely completely on His character, ability, strength and integrity.

To say it another way-God wants to be trusted. As someone once said and as confirmed in scriptures, "God has an obsession and it is His desire to be believed." All through the Bible we see God responding favorably to those who dared to trust Him. Hebrews 11:6 captures this aspect of God's nature. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

So what is it about God that should convince you that He merits your trust?

First, you should trust Him, because He is faithful. Being faithful implies being trustworthy, dependable, reliable, truthful, authentic and always present. This is a key aspect of God's nature. In fact, I believe it is one thing that distinguishes Him from man and legitimizes His claim to being God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages you:

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Here you are told that the things you are going through are not unique to you but are common experiences of all humanity because we live in a fallen world. However, God is faithful. He can be trusted in every situation and at all times. He will always come through for you.

The second reason why you should trust Him is because He is able. A man can be faithful to you but not have the ability to do what He commits to. Others can have the means but not be willing to commit. Not God. He is both faithful and able. 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

There is nothing impossible with God. He has the power to change every situation and put you over in life.

You should also trust Him because He has made commitments to you. Those commitments are called promises. These promises are backed by the integrity of God's throne, and His oath in the blood covenant. He cannot lie. If He has promised, you can count it done. In Numbers 23:19 we read: "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

If God merits our trusts, what are the things that hinder us from trusting Him? I enumerate a few below. They are self explanatory.

1. An unhealthy dependence on self. You do this when you try to solve all your problems yourself rather than bring them to God.
2. An unhealthy dependence on other people. People will always fail.
3. A lack of knowledge or exposure to God's faithful nature or to His unfailing promises. If you don't know who He is and what He's promised, you have nothing to base your trust on.

Finally, a few LightPoints for this week to help you transform from fussing to trusting:

1. Know that the word of God covers your situations. God gives us things by giving us His promises. There is a promise for every situation you face. These promises are in the Bible. Read 2 Peter 1:2-4. It says everything that pertains to living has been given to us through the promises of God.

2. Fix your mind on God all week by fixing it on the specific promises you have unearthed from the Word. Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you; because he trusts in you" and Psalm 112:7: "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."

3. Roll all your anxieties, worries and concerns on the Lord. Give Him everything. He wants to bear them for you. You don't have to carry them anymore. I Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

4. Ask for God's intervention with definite requests. Ask God for wisdom to deal with the issues. Philippians 4:7:"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

5. Keep your mind fixed on the promises even when you are tempted to worry again and again. Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

If you practice these things, you will develop a lifestyle of trusting God and Proverbs 3:5-7 will be a reality in your life!

Blessings this week!

Pastor Lan

 

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