‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you’ (Psalm 56:3 NIV)
When we are young, we rely heavily on our parents and guardians for almost all of our needs, if not all of them.
When they say “Do not do that, you will hurt yourself” we generally believe them, for why should they lie to us?
When they say that we need to go to school to get an education, again we believe them. Even more so now with the scarcity of jobs and the amount of people applying, with some jobs attracting 250 or more applicants, and only 1 job being available (https://zety.com/blog/hr-statistics#:~:text=Resume%20Statistics,-Here’s%20what%20recruiters&text=Nation%20Report%202016)-,On%20average%2C%20each%20corporate%20job%20offer%20attracts%20250%20resumes.,one%20will%20get%20the%20job. – accessed 09/05/2021).
As we get older, we start to think rationally for ourselves, and start to make our own choices. The choices of our parents or guardians will still affect these, as we have learnt from them and learnt what and how they think, so some of our thinking follows those lies of thought, unless we rebel against all that we have known.
So, the older we get, the more independent we become, and as we gather friends around us, they also change the way that we make decisions, again based on their upbringing and input into our life.
So when we are looking at our parents and guardians, and the decisions that they made for us, and the things that they told us, and we realise that they were correct and nothing they did was intentioned to hurt us, why do some of us still decide not to look to our heavenly Father and trust what he says is right for us.
But it is not just about what God says that we should believe, we should also believe that he will do what he says, for whatever God says is true!
‘my word that goes out of my mouth: It will not return empty to me’ (Isaiah 55:11 NIV).
So if we believe that what God says will happen, then all the good things that are written within the pages of the Bible are there for us;
‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).
So, God has a plan for each and every one of us, those who follow what God wants of us, and for those who do not follow God. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) so inevitably, God wants what is best for us.
God wants the best for us because we are his sons and daughters;
‘You are my son (daughter); today I have become you father’ (Psalm 1:7 NIV – addition mine).
We belong in his family, and what family leader does not want the best for their off-spring?
‘Which of you fathers [or mothers], if your son [or daughter] asks for a fish will give him [or her] a snake instead? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (Luke 11:11 & 13 NIV – additions mine).
So, as an earthly parent or guardian, we are sinful people who do bad things;
‘for we all have sinned and are in need of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23 TPT).
But, even so, we know how to look after our chares and give them good things to help nurture them and help them grow up healthy.
But, God being so much more, and so much better than us, not capable of sinning or doing evil, not capable of anything bad, how much more will he help us and guide us to maturity of both mind and body?
We just have to believe him and trust him and follow him; if we do this then ultimately we will be living with him;
‘My Father’s house has many dwelling places… because I go to prepare a place for you. And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am. (John 14:2-3 TPT).
So, we should really trust God, for if we do, when our earthly life is over, then we will be living with him eternally. And whilst we are on this earth, he is with us wherever we go and whatever we do, although we may have no earthly companions to help us or be with us during our troubles, God is always there no matter what;
‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’ (Hebrews 13:6 NIV).
But even more important in my opinion is the fact that we never have to ‘go-it-alone’;
‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
We need God, and not only in the bad times; and we also need him in the good times, guiding us and restoring us, giving us his peace and his light and righteousness.
‘Taste and see that the LORD is good’ (Psalm 24:8 NIV).
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When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Trust and Obey
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Father we thank you that we can come to you whenever we are in trouble and you will help us. Helps us to trust you and believe the words that are written in The Bible, help us to live them out and show others your light and love and great mercy, and tell them that it is freely available to all who seek you and trust and obey you.
Amen
Bobbles Stuff 