Limitless Trust in God

In my last seed on 30th June I shared with you about my desire to grow into a limitless trust in God. One of my favourite characters in the New Testament is Peter. He was often upfront and the first, sometimes he got it absolutely right and sometimes completely wrong. Sometimes he was able to trust for the impossible.

In Matthew 14:22-33 we read that Peter was the only one who left the boat to step on to the water because Jesus had told him to do so. How much trust does that require? As Peter started to walk towards Jesus his eyes were fixed on Him. All of a sudden he noticed the waves and then probably started to think: ‘What on earth am I doing here?’ Fear gripped him and he started to sink, crying out to Jesus for help. Why did he see the waves? Because he took his eyes off Jesus. I still marvel about the words Jesus said to Peter when He pulled him out of the water, even though he was the only disciple who dared to leave the safety of the boat: ‘Little-Faith! Why did you doubt?’

Peter was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus and yet when he had to face possible death he betrayed Him badly. His trust and confidence failed him. We know from John 21:15-19 that Jesus restored him and brought Peter to a place where he would trust the Lord, even losing his life for Him.

Often we face circumstances or have to make decisions which put our core believes and attitudes to the test. I remember one particular incidence in a Christian ministry for young people I was working with in Switzerland. We had a ropes course leading high up into the trees and one day I decided to face the challenge.

There were different obstacles to pass and I must have ‘run’ the course in record time – all the time safely secured with a safety rope – until I reached the last obstacle high up in the top of a pine tree. I was standing on a little platform from which I had to jump to catch a trapeze hanging in front of me, just far enough away that I couldn’t reach it without letting go of the security of the platform. I was standing up there for a whole 20 minutes. I just didn’t have the courage to jump – something every child could have done.

The people below encouraged me with all kinds of Bible verses and well wishes. Only after 20 minutes did they finally encourage me to jump and I got back down safely. I spent the afternoon with God enquiring about what was happening up there in the trees and God showed me that up to that point I could have gone all the way back in my own strength. There was a way out. But when I jumped, I passed the point of no return and had to completely trust those who were taking care of me, looking after the security rope etc..

That was the crucial point even in my relationship with God. I wasn’t really able to fully surrender my life to God and fully entrust it to Him. He wants us to be totally and utterly dependent on Him, but this goes against our human nature which wants to be independent and self-sufficient.

God uses the circumstances of life to stretch our trust time and again and every step of faith prepares us for the next one. In Hebrews 10:35 we are told not to throw away our confidence or trust which will have a big reward. I can say that over the years God very faithfully and generously provided for my every need, in every way possible, and led me on His path as He promises.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You and Your plans and ways for my life. I want to trust You more and more with the seemingly impossible situations or circumstances in my life. Thank You for the numerous encouraging examples and stories in the Bible which display Your utter trustworthiness! And thank You for Your amazing faithfulness in my own life providing me with everything I need and so often much more. Thank You for Your kindness and goodness in my life! Afresh I want to fully entrust myself and all my circumstances to You. In the name of Your precious son Jesus I pray. Amen.