Trusting God in all things should be a natural response for the one who has been redeemed by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. However, I’m quite aware of how quickly I say I trust in God, but I don’t live and act as if I truly trust Him. Frankly, I can’t think of a better reason to trust in and depend on God than this day and age when we are bombarded with multiple reasons to question the trustworthiness of earthly leadership and authority and the decisions made that can affect an entire nation. There are constant forces in play that make us feel like our hands are tied, that we have no choices, and that evil, pain and suffering continue to triumphant over anything good or beneficial. Unfortunately, this can cause us to view God as if His hands are tied or that He is somehow adversely affected by all that transpires on this earth. How easily we forget that the Lord and Creator of the Heavens and the Earth remains on His sovereign throne, fully trustworthy, and completely in control, just as He was before He created the universe. Though the redeemed in Christ are not exempt from suffering the consequences of living in a fallen world, the redeemed can have hope in trusting the One who reigns and rules forever. He sees and knows all that happens in this uncertain and temporal world and is completely sovereign over all. This begs the question: Will you trust God? And not just when things work out in your favor, but will you trust Him when it appears that all Hell is breaking loose?
I am just as guilty of carrying deep anxiety, worry, and fears for the future as anyone else, even when I know that my greatest need has been met through my relationship with Jesus Christ. Just like others, I want an assurance while living on earth that everything will turn out just fine. I must remind myself that assurance of everything that will last must come through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross with the promise of heaven for those He has redeemed. My assurance grows as I study God’s word, believe His word, and practice dependence on Christ in all things. I must learn to faithfully trust God whether earthly circumstances fall in my favor or not, and whether I understand His ways or not.
God is teaching me three essential truths about Himself, or maybe He’s reminding me of that which I already knew, but seem to have forgotten in the wake of uncertain and difficult circumstances: (1) God is completely sovereign; (2) God is infinite in wisdom; and (3) God is perfect in love. (Adapted from the book, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges) The God of the Bible does not fail. He continues to carry out His will and purpose in perfect harmony even when earthly pandemonium seems to cast a dark shadow on His magnificent work. I urge you to keep seeking the Heavenly Father daily by spending time in prayer and His word, so you may accurately know Him and trust Him completely. Ask the Lord for wisdom and His sufficient grace to stand firm in your faith as you trust in His Son, Jesus. Ask Him for the Holy Spirit to enable you to grow in your understanding of Who God is and what He has already accomplished through Christ. The power of God’s Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead over two thousand years ago is the same power today that transforms hearts and strengthens lives for the glory and praise of the name of Jesus Christ. Will you trust God? Will you encourage others to trust God? It is tough to say, and even tougher to do, but God is faithful.
Tamar Miller