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Courage Enough To Trust
One of my favorite stories is found in the book of Daniel, chapter three. It
is the story of three young men who refused to worship false gods and who refused
to bow down and worship the image of the king. Under penalty of death they were
given a choice to make. Their response is remarkable. In verse 17-18 we read:
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace
of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if
He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve
your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up".
I often wonder that if I had been put in that situation if I would have the
courage to stand up and do the right thing. I would hope so, and I pray that
I am never put in such a position as these three men faced.
There are many such stories in the Bible about men and women who had nothing
left but to trust in their God to protect them and care for them.
In our world today, we find it is so easy to mistrust others. We learn quickly
in life that you cannot depend on many people, and often it is those closest
to us that violate any trust we may have in them. Such trust is difficult to
regain if it is lost.
We learn quickly that things work in certain ways and anyone who tries to change
things will meet intense resistance. It does not matter if what is suggested
in way of change might help many people. No, it is the change that scares people.
Change means to do things in ways they are not used to, and they do not like
it. Even if the change would be beneficial, it is still resisted. When the doctor
tells you to lose a lot of weight or you might die; maybe, just maybe, you will
make some adjustments to your eating habits, but you will most likely find looking
at yourself several months down the road that nothing has changed.
Talking of our spiritual souls, we must consider that our soul is treated much
the same way. In order to reach heaven, changes in our behavior and lifestyle
must be made. But few actually do it. Eternal damnation is the result if we
do not change our ways, but the means of avoiding hell seem to be too much to
handle for most people. Sadly, the fear of hell is no match to the change that
must be undergone.
Learning to trust in God is a big adjustment for so many. For too long, most
people have learned to rely upon themselves exclusively. Many people have learned
not to trust anyone, and sometimes they do not trust themselves. They are afraid
of rejection and the failure to follow through with promises. They are afraid
that others will take advantage of them, and hurt them in some way. They are
afraid to make that first step towards a better life. The life that Jesus offers
is the best life, and so few take advantage of it.
It takes courage to trust, and more courage to trust in an entity that you cannot
see. But to those who do learn to trust God without seeing Him, these will be
blessed with the greatest of all blessings: Heaven!
Please fight the excuses and fears, and learn to trust in God for the salvation
of your soul.
By Carey Scott
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