Trust

During my quiet time this morning I was reading through John Chapter 1. The notes in my study Bible mentioned the fact that the word, ‘believe [adhere to it, trust it, and rely upon]’ occurred 98 times in the book of John. The word that leapt out for me, however, was ‘trust’. Trust can be used in a rather frivolous manner, e.g. “I trust that we will have good weather tomorrow.” But trust entails much, much more than a vague hopefulness. The dictionary defines trust as ‘firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something’. It’s a firm belief – that means a certainty.

Trust means leaning on someone, and knowing they’ll bear up under the weight of your leaning. We lean on the people in our lives who love us and care for us, and we lean on friends, but there are times when they’re not able to bear the weight of our leaning. However, we’re never too much for God! Deuteronomy 33:27 says, ‘The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you.’ Isaiah 43:1-3 (The Message) says, ‘Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end - Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Saviour.’

Trust means relying on someone to be all that they profess to be. For example, when you visit a Doctor, you’re trusting that the certificate hanging in the Doctor’s office ensures this Doctor is qualified to treat you as a patient. Exodus 3:14 says, ‘And God said…I am who I am and what I am, and I will be what I will be…’ Jesus made many ‘I am’ statements concerning Himself during His time on earth. He said in John 8:25 ‘I am exactly what I have been telling you from the first.’ ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35); ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ (John 14:6); ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ (John 10:11); ‘I am the light of the world.’ (John 8:12); ‘I am the Door’ (John 10:9).

Trust means surrendering what you don’t know to the One who does know. It means that, even though we have absolutely no idea what tomorrow will hold, we’re able to experience the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27).

Trust is a fragile commodity. Once broken, it takes time and effort to restore. As human beings a time may come when we’re disappointed in people and trust is shaken. In fact, Isaiah 2:22 says, ‘Cease to trust in [weak, frail, and dying] man, whose breath is in his nostrils [for so short a time]…’ But God is always trustworthy. He asks of us to trust in Him: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.’ (John 14:1). Make a decision to trust Him. He will never fail you!

Prayer: Father, how blessed I am to know You as the One whom I can truly trust and lean on. Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness towards me, and thank You that You never change. Thank You that You know all my tomorrows, and that I can have heart peace because I’m anchored in You. I give You glory! Amen.