Believing and Trusting
A group of people was being guided through a mint where coins were being made. Entering the smelting area, they stood before the cauldrons filled with molten metal. The tour guide pointed out that if a person were to dip his hand into water and then have someone pour the hot liquid over his hand, he would neither be injured nor feel any pain. Picking out a couple, the guide suggested maybe they would like to prove what he had just said. The husband quickly replied, “No thank you, Sir, I’ll take your word for it.” But his wife responded eagerly by saying, “Sure, I’ll give it a try.” Putting action to her words, she dipped her hand into a bucket of water and then held it out as the molten metal was poured over her hand. The hot liquid rolled off harmlessly, just as the guide had said it would. The guide turned to the husband and remarked, “Sir, you claimed to believe what I said, but your wif e truly trusted me.”
How many times those of us who profess to be Christians have reacted like the husband when it comes to trusting God! We say we believe what He has said through His Word, but we fail to trust Him for the fulfillment of His promises.
We see this same weakness time and time again all through the Old Testament in Israel’s relationship to God. Though the Children of Israel professed to be believers, they were often known for their unbelief, because they failed to trust God and walk by faith. They seemed to trust when everything was going well, but at other times they complained and failed to trust the Lord.
When the spies returned from the Promised Land with the large, luscious fruit, seeing it the people believed. But when they heard the spies’ report about inhabitants as tall as giants, they failed to trust.
As the Children of Israel wandered about in the wilderness, God gave them His word, Behold the LORD thy God hat set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers has said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged (Deuteronomy 1:21). What more was needed than this? Guided by their fears, rather than their trust in God, the Israelites missed out on the fulfillment of the promises. True Christians accept the Scriptures as the inspired words of God and believe them. But like Israel, we sometimes fail to trust the Lord, and as a consequence, we do not see the great and mighty things God has promised. Our lack of trust produces discouragement and disappointment.
We need to remind ourselves that God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). When David wrote this, he was probably thinking of the seven cities of refuge to which a person could flee when he had caused the death of another person unintentionally. Praise God we have One to whom we can go to escape the guilt of tormenting sin and receive forgiveness, pardon, and consolation. When we are weary, we can go to Him and find rest for our souls. When we are pressured by the trials of life, we are assured of the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. When we have doubts and fears, the Lord calms and gives us faith to believe. God Himself is our refuge; not a city but our Holy, loving, eternal God. We trust Him. We may believe but that is not enough. I can believe God can do the great and mighty things, but unless I trust Him I will never see them.
Do you remember Joseph in Potiphar’s house? God gave Joseph the strength to overcome temptation. But at the same time, Joseph trusted God to do it, and He did. God was Moses’ strength to deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. He was David’s strength over the giant. He was Elijah’s strength over the false prophets. He was the Apostle Paul’s strength to stand firm and preach the Gospel, even at the expense of his life. God has been the strength of every saint of every age who not only believed Him but also trusted Him.
Remember, God is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is not some far off source from whom we can seek advice only in troubled times. He is a very present help. He is the omnipresent One. There is never a place or a time when He is not present in all of His glorious power. God has been faithful throughout all of history to sustain, protect, and empower His people who really trust Him. You may think He hasn’t done that for you. Are you sure you have trusted Him, with full confidence that He cannot fail. If there is some doubt about it, let me make a suggestion. Trust God for one day. I mean really trust Him. Don’t look to people. Don’t look to your frail self. Look to the Lord for everything. If you believe Him, prove it. Prove to yourself that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we a sk or th ink (Ephesians 3:20). Realize there are no limits to what He can do. Fully trust Him for one day. If it works, trust Him for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. You will soon discover that trusting God will be routine for you and you won’t go back to the old life of doubt. You will believe and trust.
Never think your trusting is not successful because you don’t get the things you want or ask for. God provides the things we need, not necessarily what we want or think we need. Let Him do the sorting. You do the believing and the trusting, and He will take care of the rest.
If you have questions about your own personal salvation and wonder whether or not you are really saved, make sure of it. Just simply call on the Lord and say, “Lord, I want to know I am saved. I want to be sure. I now invite Jesus into my life with a willingness to turn from sin to follow Him.” You will never regret this decision.
J. Allen Blair
A College Freshman's View of God Through His Creation
As His mighty presence cleared the horizon and kissed the tree tops, I got a glimpse of the Lord’s beautiful soul. I can never grasp or explain the beauty, but once the morning sunlight touched my brow, I was stunned and amazed by His beauty. Breathlessly stunned and amazed! All I could hear were my feet, one by one, connecting with the dirt beneath them, as I smelled the sweet fragrance of an early morning rainfall. At that moment I knew God was doubtlessly real. Only a power so much greater than anything I could imagine could have created this beautiful earth. So praise Him! Praise Him for the majestic scenery He has brought into being. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Tiffany
(Tiffany is in her first year of college in the state of Nevada. This was written during camp last summer, high in the southern Colorado mountains.)
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (Psalm 117:1).
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Don't Pity Yourself
The blues—if you've got'em, then Dr. Blair's tract, Don't Pity Yourself, will be a great antidote for you. Ask for a free copy!
Happy Holidays!
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he[she] (Proverbs 16:20).
Merry Christmas!
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS (Luke 1:30,31).
Happy New Year!
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:11).