Trust in Him Alone

Years ago I went on holiday to Malta. It was a wonderful holiday but in those days the roads were full of potholes and definitely in need of major repair. Maltese buses, at that time, were very cheap but were also extraordinary. They were of varying styles and ages, representing bus history over several decades, in fact they looked like exhibits in a working motor museum. As a consequence many of them made odd noises, black smoke was often emitted from the exhaust or worse still from under the bonnet, the shock absorbers were non-existent and breaking down was a very real possibility on any journey. The combination of the challenging roads and the elderly buses made for exciting travelling especially when you add the Mediterranean temperament of the drivers!

So perhaps all this explains why the drivers seem to feel the need to have a plethora of protective ‘lucky charms’, dangling from their rear view mirror. Each driver had a personalised mix of symbols in which they were putting their trust. Typically these might include some or all of the following; a St Christopher, a crucifix, a Buddha, a four leafed clover, a horseshoe, medals with pictures of saints on them, coloured ribbons or tassels, a rosary, prayer beads or a rabbit’s foot.

When you think about it, many people have this ‘belt and braces’ approach to protection for their lives. Even those of us who say we’re trusting in God alone tend to hedge our bets in some areas of our lives. Perhaps we’re more subtle about this, probably we don’t flaunt what we put our trust in, but maybe we do put our trust in some equally strange things as we travel the road of our life. Do we trust in our own abilities or intelligence to give us a safe journey? Do we feel safe if we have a cleverly worked out financial back-up plan? Do we trust that others, or the state, will meet all our needs? Do we have superstitions or rituals in which we trust? In other words; what symbols would be hanging from the rear view mirror of our individual life-bus?

Each moment of our life journey we choose under whose authority we put the protection of our lives. Joshua says to the children of Israel ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’. His choice was clear. There was to be no ‘belt and braces’ approach for Joshua. God’s desire is clear that we should have no other God but Him. He’s a jealous God and He alone will be our protection and our provision.

Prayer: Dear Father, today I chose to take down everything in which I have put my trust, including my dependence on my own physical strength, mental ability or financial security. Today I chose to make You alone my place of safety and protection. Thank You that You are all I need. I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.