Trusting God
-- Proverbs 3:5
Solomon wrote about keeping the laws and the Word of God in our hearts. This will lengthen our days and add peace to our lives. We are to hold fast to mercy and truth and keep them close to our hearts. That way we will find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and men.
Solomon warns us to trust and consult God about every decision. We should never rely on our own understanding or focus on head knowledge. As we acknowledge God in everything, He will guide our steps. We shouldn’t consider ourselves to be wise but to fear God and stay away from evil. This kind of trust which Solomon spoke about is being guided by the Holy Spirit. In this way we allow God to live through us and to guide our decisions. As children of God, our lives belong to Him and we are created for His purpose and good pleasure.
As the Holy Spirit lives in us and lives through us, we are dead to the works of the flesh and alive in Christ Jesus. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24) The works of the flesh include adultery, fornication, hatred, jealousy, envy, drunkenness and contention. Once we submit to God, crucify the flesh and remain connected to Him, the Holy Spirit helps us to bear good fruit. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, self control, kindness, goodness and patience. I used to think that it was up to me to live right and to be a good person. My stress levels reduced significantly when I learned that it was not possible for me to live right. I am not able to be righteous in my own strength, but Christ’s death made me righteous and His strength also keeps me from failing.
Living a Christ centred lifestyle means trusting God with every area of our lives and with every decision. God is invested in where we live, who our friends are, where we work, go to church, where we get an education and who we marry. We belong to God and as we live for His purpose, our choices should bring Him glory. God is all knowing, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience. He knows everything and sees the end before the beginning. What would make us not want to trust someone who created everything and knows everything?
One area where most people struggle with trusting God is with their finances. I have been there before and God had to teach me how to surrender my finances to Him as He is my provider. The reality is that I cannot work enough hours to make enough money to meet all of my needs and wants. God is my provider and He gives revelation, skills and knowledge to gain wealth.
Every prophet in the Bible demonstrated a life lived by trusting God to meet their needs. Through trials, wars, hardships, shipwreck, famines and pestilence and God kept them safe. “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.” (Hebrews 11:33)
It’s not easy to cultivate and live a life of faith, because it means doing things that may seem stupid to many people. Faith and trusting God will often mean doing what does not seem popular and may even draw ridicule. It is better to trust in God than to put our confidence in man. Men may fail but God never fails and His perfect will is the safest place to live. I want to challenge you to ask God to reveal Himself to you and to reveal His perfect will and purpose for your life. If you truly seek God with a pure heart, He will reveal himself to you and He will guide you and give you strength to do His will.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Are there areas of your life where it is easier or harder to trust God?
2. What do you think would happen if you consulted God before you made every decision?
3. Can you think of someone in the Bible who was great at trusting God and why?
