TRUST!

Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! (NKJV).

This issue of Trust is a very important one in our Christian lives. At this time as we are experiencing a recession, it is something that may be put to the test. Perhaps there are three important things that when we don’t have them, we are more likely to call out to God in faith and trust. They are money, health, and relationships. By and large, when we have enough money, reasonable health, and the relationships in our lives are doing OK, we thank God for everything (and so we should), and get on with life. But when one or two or maybe even all three are removed from our lives, it’s at that time we really need to know what this thing of Trust is.

From my own experience over the years, there have been times it seemed life looked impossible as we looked ahead. Early in our ministry we had periods when we went without an income of any sort, for weeks at a time. There was no money to pay us, but I just knew that I was to serve full-time and not get a job. That is how I believed the Lord led us at that time. There are those who are called to a “life of faith” with no regular income, but at that point I wasn’t called to that lifestyle. Nevertheless, over several periods of weeks at a time when we didn’t have any income, we learnt what it was to Trust the Lord to supply our needs. And supply He did! No bill went unpaid, the kids uniforms were provided, dental costs were met and all the other needs of a busy growing family were met.

Trust is something we all do. Every time we sit down on a chair, we trust. Every time we turn the ignition key of our car, we trust. Children can teach us much about trust. Isn’t it wonderful the way they just trust. They trust their parents to provide and look after them. They trust as an adult may be driving them somewhere that the car coming up to the give way will in fact give way! They go to sleep in our cars trusting!

The word Trust on our text verse today in Hebrew is the word “batach” (pronounced “baw” “takh’”). It is rich in meaning! It includes; to have confidence, to be bold, to be secure, to make secure, to feel safe, to be careless (in the sense of having no cares!). Wow!

Notice from this verse some key things about Trust.

1. God Is The Focus Of Our Trust.

“O LORD of hosts”. The writer of this Psalm firstly acknowledges who God is, His Lordship over all things. This is the basis of true Christian Trust. An acknowledgement and an understanding that God is God, and that He is over all things, that He is supreme, King, Lord, that nothing is outside of His domain, nothing is beyond His knowledge, nothing can possibly come into our lives that He is unaware of, nothing should stop us from speaking and singing His praise!

Perhaps it is at those times when we have lost one of those three things, money, health or relationships, that we seem to refocus our attention on God and really learn to Trust Him. The Psalms penned by King David often follow a pattern. Firstly there’s his Praise for the wonders of God and His people and His house, then he moves into his pain and prayer and needy situation, but then he always finishes with praise and glory going to God for who He is, and His ability to meet his needs. What a lesson!

2. Blessing Comes From Trusting.

“blessed is the man“ (Or woman!). In the Kingdom of God there are always conditions to provisions. This is one of them. God is a God of grace and will often especially when we’re young in the faith, just pour into our lives blessings, provision, and more then we need. But as we mature and grow, He wants us to trust Him and learn more about who He is.

But, as a fair and just earthly father will reward his children for their trust in him, so too our Heavenly Father will bless us as we trust Him.

3. Confidence, Boldness, Security, Safety, Are In God!

“who trusts in You!” We surely need these things, but, they are found in God, as a result of our trusting Him! A positive confession is important. Speaking out the promises of God is important. Changing our mindset is important. But at the end of the day, true confidence, boldness, security, safety and that place of being care-less come from God and our relationship with Him. C. S. Lewis once said, “We trust, not because a God exists, but because this God exists.” Amen!

Some have said of the present recession, that it is blown out of proportion by the media, and there is some truth to that. Some have said that it’s not really happening and that we should just carry on as we did before. And there’s truth in that. But try telling those I know of who have just lost their jobs that there is no such thing as a recession!

Someone a long time ago told me that the time to build a bridge is when things are great, and you don’t really need it. Because when things change and you don’t have what you should have and you need that bridge, it will be there. For example building good relationships may seem to be time consuming and unprofitable, but when we need help, that bridge of relationship is already there and help is just across on the other side.

It’s the same with trust. When we have sufficient money, health and great relationships, this is perhaps the best time to build our relationship with God and learn to trust Him for everything, so that when life throws a curved ball we can say like the Psalmist, “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Then we’ll experience the blessing and provision promised to those who trust in God! But of course anytime is a good time to trust God! We certainly learn fast how to trust God in the tough times!

Be encouraged by God’s Word: (All NKJV).

Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Psalm 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 56:11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Can I say this to you personally! No matter where you’re at, no matter what situation you find yourself in, whatever needs have landed at your place, you have the privilege of being able to place your trust fully in God! Then, as a result, you will have God’s blessing! A special, Godly, Heavenly confidence, boldness, security, safety and a care-less peace. PLUS, His promise of provision!