Trust!

Trust!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 KJV

Trust is a very expensive commodity these days. It is used by many people but it is not the true attribute of many people. We demand it, but we are not quick to give reasons why people should give it to us. If this word can be this important between human beings, imagine what its effect and impact will be when you look at it from God's perspective. The man who wrote these words: king Solomon - understood what it meant to trust God. At least, he had seen the evidence of the blessings and favour his father David had enjoyed from God. He had seen the amazing miracles, blessings, favour, wealth and riches that God had given him. He had built a magnificent temple for God, which God honoured with his presence and glory. But, I note: at the dedication of the temple, God came down to Solomon and warned him: don't let the physical things like the mighty temple you have built distract you from the most important thing: Trust in Me. 

We can get so distracted by the blessings that we ignore the Blessor. We can get sidelined by the things we possess, and forget that we only hold them because the Possessor of heaven and earth has made it possible. We can get so moved by the created things around us that we forget that they are all the works of the hands of the Creator and they answer to him, not to us. The word trust, as used in the bible in many places, mean refuge; be confident or sure; be bold in; secure; sure; hope. One thing is clear from all the uses of the word trust: it does not leave room for alternatives. That is why today's extract says it clearly: Trust is only truly Trust when it is total, complete and absolutely in the One I claim to trust in. I cannot claim to trust when my heart is divided among several other alternatives or choices. Trust is not true when my heart is not fully focused on the object or subject of trust. 

My heart has to be fully in it if I am to enjoy the benefits of it. I want to be guided and directed; I want the benefits and blessings of the presence of God. Life is too complex and confusing to try and navigate it on my own. I will make mistakes, and that is why I need the help of the Help of Israel to succeed in life. As Solomon learnt the hard way, riches and wealth do not guarantee a happy life. He had all that the eyes could see, but at the end of his life, he learnt too late that God will not be involved in multiple choice questions where you can choose to ignore him and still get all the benefits of His Presence. It does not work that way. I am either all in or all out. And I have to know that I am dealing with a God of absolute knowledge. He cannot be deceived by outward piety with no inner truth because he is the Creator of the heart that seeks to deceive.

Acknowledging God means consulting him for all you want to do. You seek his face before you seek the help of man. You put him in front of all the options and opinions that guide your life. He is the first and last option and all in between. That is trust. It cannot be only in some areas of your life, but it has to be in all. The passage above says: in ALL your ways. I cannot claim expertise in any area of life, because I do not have sight of all dimensions to all areas of life. I have to trust the one who is knowledge personified; who fills all things in all ways. What I get for total trust in God is daily guidance and direction. This is a God who knows all of tomorrow, even before time began. He can direct me into an action that will look stupid initially but when all is said and done, it would sound like I had prior knowledge of what was going on. 

As mighty as God is, he needs my life, hands, feet, mouth, eyes and other body parts to be the testaments to his power. He wants to do great things in and through me, and he can only do so when I submit to him and allow him have his way. There is no point resisting God; I am yet to see any created thing that does not render account to its creator. I can get away with resisting God for a while, but there is an eternity to consider. Do I really want to have my own way down here on earth and then have to deal with God's wrath forever? Or would I just let God have his way in my life down here, so that his grace, mercy and favour can be my daily experience, and then I continue to enjoy all of God for all of eternity? As usual, the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.