Trust in God

“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35).

Trust in God requires faith. Without faith in God, one cannot speak of trust in God. However, should it be difficult to have faith in God? If we look at the wonderful creation and then think about how everything was brought into existence by an omnipotent word of God and how God sustains everything by His power and His omnipotent word, it will certainly not be difficult for us to trust such a great and mighty God.

If we then consider the faithfulness of God, how He always faithfully fulfilled His promises; how wonderfully He led His people who trusted and obeyed Him at all times; how He proved Himself faithful to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for example, and led them so wonderfully, our trust will grow stronger.

Let us think of King David and the wonderful experiences he had. Even as a boy, he had learned to trust in God. When he was confronted by Saul, he could testify that he had fought and overcome a lion and a bear by trusting in God. That is why he was not afraid of the godless giant who had mocked the God of Israel. Trusting in God, he undertook the fight with Goliath. God, whom he trusted, did not let him be put to shame but gave him victory. He emerged victorious from many years of persecution by Saul. So, what was the cause of all his glorious victories? We can say it short and simple: “Trust in God.”

Asaph felt as if it was over for him, but God remained faithful. He did not abandon him, just as He does not abandon anyone who trusts in Him. The distress had risen to the highest level, but the psalmist’s resolve was firm, and he exclaimed: “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).

What a rock-solid and at the same time childlike trust David also expresses in the 23rd Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Even in the dark valley, David was not afraid because he knew that the Lord was with him and would not leave him nor forsake him. His trust in God did not waver, and God stood by him. He has never put anyone to shame who has trusted in Him.

Are you perhaps also going through difficult trials, dear soul? Does it seem as if all your hoping, praying, and longing is in vain? Be of good cheer; the Lord loves you! Don’t throw away your trust; God sees and knows your situation. In fact, He knows it much better than you do. He will not abandon you!

How clearly and firmly the prophet Isaiah expresses this when he says: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). And in Isaiah 43:2, it says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Oh, what a strong and mighty God we have! And this strong and mighty God loves us and is interested in us. So, shouldn’t we trust Him? How can we hesitate to rely on His promises? Confidently believe that God is close to you even in the darkest hours and that He will not abandon you. When things get bleak and dark around you, cling even more firmly to the glorious promises of God, all of which are yes and amen in our Lord Jesus Christ.

If only we keep our eyes open, we can see every day how true it is that God will not let anyone be put to shame who trusts in Him, who believes and obeys His words and places their trust in them. Even if God strikes a wound, He has balm for it and also heals it again. In everything He does, His intentions are only loving, and He will work everything out for our good. Therefore, let us trust in Him in a childlike way, be confident and undaunted, and wait for the Lord at all times and in all situations. He will bring everything to a glorious conclusion and make everything beautiful in His time. All we need to do is trust and obey God.

Charles E. Orr