Putting Our Trust In God
The very middle verses of the Bible really say it all. Psalm 118: 8-9 "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes". In Jeremiah 17:7 reads: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD". This is preceded by the statement in v. 5 "Cursed is the man who trust in mankind and makes flesh his strength". This is similar to the verse in Isaiah 31:1 "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!"
The Bible reminds us over and over that the only ones we can trust are God and those who put their trust in God. I feel we often fail to remember this. If something goes wrong, we expect many different entities to fix whatever the problems might be. Too many people rely upon the government to take care of them. God never intended for government to do this. The government's job is to protect people and punish evil-doers (1 Peter 2:14). It is not the government's job to control the lives of law-abiding citizens.
We are constantly reminded in the Scriptures that God is our refuge, strength, fortress, station, and our help in times of trouble. The Psalmists all wrote of calling upon God to protect them from their enemies. To protect them from those who would lie in wait to cause them harm, and from those who would set a snare or trap for them.
Can you just imagine how much simpler our lives would be if we learned to trust in the LORD? Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight".
For many of us, we have not learned to put our trust in God. That is why we work hard to store up our treasure on earth. We save for a rainy day, or we try to save for our golden years. While there is wisdom in this, too many people cause their faith to suffer while stockpiling their fortunes. They have essentially ignored God as their provider, and learned to rely upon themselves. Others rely upon governments or faith-based organizations and charities to get them by. In all this, they refuse to acknowledge God as their provider and sustenance.
When it comes to spiritual matters and our relationship with the church and its members, we just might learn not to trust our fellow members. There is so much evil in this world, and oftentimes the world enters the church doors along with the members, that we do not even try to trust anyone to do right. We always have to be on guard and on the lookout for our own protection.
Remember only God and those who actively serve Him can be trusted. If you will trust God the way He wants, you can be a person of trust to others.
By Carey Scott

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