154 Sermon Illustrations on Trust

"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."

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the most familiar passages of scripture in the Bible and has been a source of comfort and encouragement for many Christians. But, according to Archie England, reading only these two verses would mean missing out on four other "transforming truths" and the "key" that unlocks them.

"My heart wanted to preach on Proverbs 3:5-6; that was just all I wanted to preach," England said during the chapel service at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. "But as I began studying the context in chapter 3, I realized that the writer of Proverbs had given us a tremendous sermon in the whole chapter."

England, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTS, pointed out a series of instructions given by the writer of Proverbs that form five transforming truths.

"In verse 3 [the writer of Proverbs] says, 'do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck.' The first transforming truth is that we hold on to faithfulness and covenantal lovingkindness."

While the first truth deals with the priority a believer should have, the next transforming truth in chapter 3 focuses on faith. It is found in that famous verse 5 and it is simple and straightforward. "Trust in the Lord and do not lean on your own understanding."

"We find thirdly that we are to humble ourselves. We acknowledge the greatness, the majesty, the wonder, the beauty, the bounty of God Almighty. And we bow before him because we know that God is able, willing and capable to fill our cup and to bless us beyond all measure of blessing."

England noted that the text promises "refreshment and healing" to those who will humble themselves before him and worship him. This leads directly to the fourth transforming truth in the chapter -- honor.

"God is worthy of to be honored with that which He gives us -- our wealth and the first fruits of our fields," he stated. "Proverbs tells us that we ought to bring to God those tributes of praise and glory and honor."

The last transforming truth England highlighted is the endurance of the believer. Pointing to verse 11, he illustrated the importance of enduring God's discipline.

"God disciplines, he corrects those he loves. We are to endure all things for the sake of God's kingdom ... because it shows our commitment to persevere."

What is the key to understanding and unlocking these five transforming truths? England said that it is God's wisdom.

"The key to the issue is wisdom. This wisdom is more profitable, more productive, more precious."

"It is more profitable than silver, it is better gain than gold ... nothing can compare to the wisdom of God." he continued. "When we acknowledge the five truths that transform, when we understand that it is wisdom that is above all things, then we come to great peace."

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What’s in toothpaste, and how does it work? . . .

It’s amazing what people will put in their mouths. C’mon, admit it: you never read the label on that stuff you stick in your mouth twice a day. How did you come to have such a high trust level?

Whatever is in your toothpaste, it has to be better than what 19th century tooth powder contained. How does porcelain, smashed coral, or cuttlefish bone strike you? Their purpose was to serve as an abrasive to scrub the foreign particles from teeth. Modern pastes clean and polish by substituting ingredients such as silica*, chalk, or aluminum oxide (also found in cement). The foam comes from a touch of detergent. Add substances to color the mix, others to improve the taste and consistency, and fluoride to keep your friendly dentist at bay, and you have toothpaste.

[* in my teen-age years, back in the 1950’s, I worked summers at Colgate-Palmolive where, among other tasks, I loaded and unloaded 100-lb. bags of silica. One bright fellow, knowing it was used in toothpaste, decided to use it to clean his teeth and in a very short time had removed all their enamel! RGH]

Psalm 31 is one of David’s exile psalms. He wrote it when Saul was chasing him through the rough hill country of Judah. David was going from cave to cave and from hill to hill.

During his exile, David discovered that God’s hand was adequate for every need of every day. Have you noticed in the Psalms how often David talked about hands? As a shepherd he knew the importance of his hands. He had to carry the shepherd’s crook, the staff. He also used a slingshot and later exchanged it for a sword. Occasionally he would exchange his sword for a harp. The hands that had been in battle produced beautiful music for the glory of God.

David also talked about the hand of the enemy. “And [You] have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy” (v. 8). “My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies” (v. 15). We do have enemies. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). Our enemies would like to destroy us, but God’s hand protects us.

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (v. 5). This is the prayer of Jewish boys and girls in the Old Testament times. Whenever he went to bed, the little child would say, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” When our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us on the cross, He said, “It is finished! Into Your hands I commend My spirit” (John 19:30; Luke 23:46). When you commit your life into God’s hand, you don’t have to worry about any other hand, because His hand protects you, provides for you and guides you.

It is good for us to depend on God’s hand, the hand of provision, protection and guidance. What are your needs today? Have you asked God to provide for them ? Depend on the hand of God; you will find Him faithful.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord” (Isaiah 31:1, NIV).

A few years ago Professor John Passmore in speaking about Australia’s capital city, Canberra, said it was one of the most highly planned and well laid out and ordered cities in the world. (It was designed by American Walter Burleigh Griffin). It was an attempt to build “an ideal urban environment for the future.”

However, in spite of all the best laid plans of men, Canberra had one of the highest suicide rates in the country, the highest unemployment rate, and the highest rate of marriage breakdown.

In our contemporary Western society we have sharpened the mind, strived for technological and scientific excellence, built the greatest means of transport and communications in the history of the world. But like ancient Egypt, we have basically put our trust in our own strength and that of the things we have developed and have ignored the spirit and not relied on nor put our trust in God.

Unless we turn back to God as a nation we will go the same way as ancient Egypt and all other civilizations who forgot God.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me as an individual and my country as a nation to realize that, as your Word says, ‘Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.’ Grant that we will turn from our sins, put our trust in you, and walk in the ways of the Lord. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

In 1994 English newspapers reported the bizarre story of a 63-year-old man who needed gall bladder surgery. The only problem was that he had an intense fear of doctors and hospitals. He was never able to overcome this phobia and decided to take matters into his own hands. The man attempted surgery on himself. Tragically his self-surgery resulted in an infection which led to the man’s death soon thereafter. The coroner said, “Unfortunately, [his] drastic remedy went wrong. A simple operation would have solved the problem.”

Therein is the problem of a lack of trust. We tend to take matters into our own hands. In the world of human relationships we can often get by with this attitude and approach. But when it comes to spiritual matters and issues involving eternity, trust is crucial. Without trust we destroy ourselves by our own hand. Absolute trust in God is essential in successfully navigating this life and entrance into the one to come.

1. Trust for Deliverance Psalm 7:1 (NKJV)

O LORD my God, in You I put my trust;

Save me from all those who persecute me;

And deliver me,

2. Opposition

a. You have heard of people with a persecution complex … every annoyance, every hardship, every difficulty, is because “someone is out to get them”

b. But if he has the least amount of objectivity, even the most critical reader of the life of David must admit David had a fair amount of difficulty in his life; when he refers to “those who persecute me” it is not just a persecution complex he had

i. in keeping his family’s sheep he faced a bear and a lion

ii. every time God worked through him to gain victory for Israel, it increased the antagonism and machinations of King Saul against him

iii. he was constantly having to reign in his most loyal supporters from committing some atrocity

iv. after he became king, his own son Absolom usurped his throne and sought to kill him

v. his ablest counsellor deserted to Absolom’s side

vi. and there are many other instances

c. it is highly unlikely that any of us will face the variety and the intensity of opposition that David faced

i. yet even so, just has David trusted the LORD to deliver,

ii. we may have his same confidence

iii. in the LORD, the Eternal one,

iv. who can and will deliver

v. either through or out of the opposition

vi. to the praise of His glory.

One of the great names for Jesus in the Bible is the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” When noted author, C. S. Lewis, created a character to be his Christ-figure in his “Chronicles of Narnia” fantasies, he introduced us to Aslan, the lion-king of Narnia. In Lewis' enchanting books, Narnia is a land where the animals speak, where the forces of evil are strong, and where Aslan, though only seen on rare occasions, is the dominant figure. Lucy is one of the children who is transported to Narnia. In one of the later books in the Chronicles, Lucy is finally reunited with the Lion-King, Aslan. I'll let C. S. Lewis take it from here: “'Welcome child,' he said. Lucy said, 'Aslan, you're bigger.’ And he answered, 'That is because you are older, little one.’ 'Oh, not because you are?’ Lucy said. 'Oh, I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.'“

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Shrinking Your God.”

That is your King's plan for you - that every year you grow, you find Him bigger. And that's the kind of God you have if you belong to Jesus Christ. You can never reach His limits - He has none. He is all those “omni's” the Bible scholars talk about - omniscient - there's nothing He doesn't know; omnipresent - there's no place where He isn't there; omnipotent - there's nothing He cannot do. The problem is this strange tendency we have in the more challenging times in our life - the bigger the issue is, the smaller our God seems to be to us. The problem looks unsolvable, the need looks unmeetable, the mountain unmovable - and we end up handling the hard times as if our God is too small to handle this one.

For all of us God-shrinkers, there's our word for today from the Word of God in Jeremiah 32, beginning with verse 17. It is a powerful prayer of the prophet Jeremiah - and perhaps, the very prayer you need to be praying right now in the face of something overwhelming. “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.” Now listen to God's response: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 'I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for the Lord?'“

Think about it: when your problem suddenly gets bigger than it's ever been, does it get harder for God? When the financial need is greater than you've ever seen, does it suddenly get harder for God to supply it? When your medical condition gets worse, does it get beyond what God can handle? If the person you've been praying for so long seems to be getting farther from God than they've ever been, did God's rescue challenge suddenly get a lot bigger? When the issues with your child or your spouse or your parent take a turn for the worse, is it suddenly harder for God to pull this out? For every question like that, watch my lips for the answer: No! “Nothing is too hard for the Lord” - including your thing. It gets bigger and harder for us, but there's no such word as “hard” in the vocabulary of God.

When the ancient Jews saw the size of the people and the defenses in the Promised Land, they obsessed on how big their problem was and they totally forgot how much bigger their God was. And they ended up in the wilderness for a long time and so do we. You may be stressing and sinking and even sinning right now because you're underestimating your God - and under-trusting Him.

Faith is the key that unlocks all the great things God has for you. And He isn't about to let your faith stay the same size. He's in the faith-enlargement business. He's let something come into your life that defies human solution, that overwhelms human answers, so you can experience how big your King really is. When the bad news gets “badder,” your God does not get smaller. He's still the Sovereign Lord, the great and powerful God. Let yourself be overwhelmed by the God you have - and you'll find that nothing but Him is truly overwhelming!

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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Have you ever considered at what point a test becomes so difficult that you decide you can no longer trust in God and you must take over to solve the problem? The prophet Jeremiah describes a situation in which the temptation to solve a financial problem can become so great that we trust in man's way to solve it.

This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

Jeremiah drew a sharp comparison between the man who trusts in his own effort to solve his problem and the man who trusts in God when he cannot see the outcome. The man who trusts in God bears fruit despite the circumstances in his life. He does not shrivel when the heat comes; in fact, his roots go deeper into God's grace. He continues to bear fruit in spite of his circumstances.

Recently, a friend from South Africa explained to me that whenever a plant lives in an arid climate, the roots drive deeper and deeper into the soil to get the water they need. This forces the plant to develop a root system that is far beyond the normal plant because it is forced to go deeper to gain the water it needs. Sometimes God forces us to go deeper into the grace of His love in order to build a greater foundation in our own lives. These lean times are designed to accomplish this in us. If you find yourself in this condition, ask the Lord who provides the water for our soul for the grace you need today to continue to bear fruit in the desert.

”A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy, the rottenness of the bones.” — Proverbs 14:30

There are many good reasons Christians should trust and obey God: to know God; to please Him; to glorify Him; to have His approval for service; to be a blessing to others; to have God’s blessing upon our work, family, and possessions; to avoid judgment; to qualify for rewards in this life and the next; and so forth. But if all these reasons fail to stir us to righteousness, here’s another sure motivator: Do it for your health’s sake!

That’s the rationale of wise King Solomon — and more importantly, His infallible Inspirer, the Holy Spirit — in the Book of Proverbs: “A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy, the rottenness of thebones” (Prov. 14:30). Paraphrased, this means that mental and emotional stability helps establish and maintain physical health, but when emotional agitation (specifically envy; also anger, fear, resentment, strife, etc.) is allowed to rest in one’s soul, one’s bodily health will eventually break down. Surprised?

We shouldn’t be. This just makes good sense. We are, after all, tri-part beings, having a spirit, soul, and body. And all three divisions of our being are inseparably linked. So whatever affects one part of our being will, if not checked, affect all the parts. The presence of a demon in one’s spirit, for instance, will affect his mind and body; the presence of sinful thoughts or emotions in one’s soul will affect his spirit and body;and the presence of a disease in one’s body will often weaken his mind and spirit. This proverb points out that the state of our mind affects the state of our body; if not immediately, then eventually.

This fact is acknowledged by medical science. Psychosomatic diseases are bodily illnesses that spring, not from physical causes (viruses or infections) but from unhealthy mental or emotional conditions. These intangible-but-real stimuli cause our brains to send signals (nerve impulses) throughout our nervous systems to various parts of our bodies that cause our glands, muscles, organs, and bodily systems to malfunction, producing chemical imbalances in our blood and distressing physical pain and sickness. Now here’s the point: Regenerated, Spirit-baptized, biblically taught Christians need not suffer these kinds of sickness! They are entirely avoidable if we will but consistently surrender to God, trust Him, and obey His Word.

This is the theme masterfully expounded by Dr. S. I. McMillen in his classic bestselling, must-read Christian book, “None of These Diseases” (Fleming H. Revell; Grand Rapids, MI). A lifelong physician, devoted Christian, and captivating writer, McMillen pinpoints “emotional turmoil” as the real cause of illness so often overlooked in search of purely physical causes. His pre-scribed antidote is gloriously simple: obedience to the Bible, most specifically the commands of the New Testament epistles that in so many words tell us to, with the Spirit’s help, put off the old man and all his carnal attitudes and actions and put on the new man, Christ, and His higher ways of thinking, speaking, and living. (See Col. 3:1-4:1; Phil. 4:4-9; Eph. 4:17-6:9.) Why is this helpful? Because prompt and consistent obedience to the Word minimizes the time during which these harmful thoughts and emotions — imaginations, anxiety, anger, resentment, vengeance, and guilt — rest in our “heart,” thus not permitting them sufficient time to “rot our bones” (Prov. 14:30).

Here is the way this plays out in daily living. We get angry at unfairness, offense, or evildoing, but, remembering God’s Word, we quickly choose to “fret not thyself because of evildoers,” and to “cease from anger, and forsake wrath” (Ps. 37:1, 8). Or we become intimidated, but, remembering that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Tim. 1:7) and that “fear hath torment” (1 Jn. 4:18), we quickly reject fear and choose instead to trust God to help us. Or someone speaks or acts offensively towards us, but we remember Christ’s command, “Forgive, if ye have anything against any” (Mk. 11:25) and decisively drop the offense, refusing to harbor an unforgiving spirit. Or we get irritated and impatient with a fellow Christian, but, remembering Jesus’ principal command that we “love one another, as I have loved you” On. 13:34), we yield to patience and kindness. Or thoughts of likely future financial needs bring us anxiety, but, remembering Jesus’ orders, “Take … no [anxious] thought for the morrow” (Mt. 6:34), we firmly reject our anxious thoughts and choose instead to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” (Prov. 3:5), believing that He will “supply all your need according to His riches in glory” (Phil. 4:19). Or a friend shares how he has been blessed, prospered, or honored and afterwards, unaccountably, we’re in a bad mood; then the Spirit of truth quietly convicts us of envy (anger at others’ advantages, real or imagined) and we quickly confess our sin to God and resolve to not let envy rest in our hearts, remembering the Word, “Let not thine heart envy sinners [or saints!]” (Prov. 23:17). Or we think, speak, or act sinfully, but, remembering God’s promise, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9), we quickly confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness. Everytime we thus obey the Scriptures, we swallow invisible – but-potent spiritual “pills” — biblical miracle drugs — that bring us immediate supernatural relief. The result? We protect ourselves from the excessive pressures that agitate our emotions, stress our arteries, overload our nerves, disrupt our glands, contaminate our blood, stiffen our joints, ulcerate our stomachs, dam-age our vital organs, and ruin our physical health.

The Book of Proverbs concurs. It directly links God’s Word to our physical health, declaring that the Word is both physically rejuvenating and medicinal in its effects:

“My son, attend to MY words; incline thine ear unto MY sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are LIFE unto those that find them, and HEALTH to all their flesh.” — Proverbs 4:20-22 (emphasis mine).

While these verses emphasize listening to, reading, and meditating on the Scriptures, we must remember that the context here also emphasizes obedience to the Scriptures (see Prov. 4:14,15, 23-27). Mere Bible reading, no matter how receptive we are, can’t give us full life. It is neither awareness nor thought but obedience that releases all the supernatural life of God latent in His Word. Heart surrender, never mere mental assent, gives us abundant life; hearty compliance, not heady contemplation merely, is required; not only the mind but the will must be moved if the rivers of healing power flowing through the Bible are to be let loose in us. But returning to the issue before us, why can’t our bodies stand the stresses produced by sinful actions and reactions?

The answer lies in our creation. God made the human body amazingly strong, durable, and adapt-able, able to handle a whole range of mental and physical stresses, butnot able to bear the unnatural stresses caused by sinful thoughts, emotions, speech, and actions. After Adam sinned, a whole host of excessive psychological pressures came to bear upon him and his posterity: guilt and fear came first, when Adam hid from God (Gen. 3:8-10); then prideful self-defense, when Adam and Eve each blamed their disobedience on others (3:12, 13); then anger (envy), when Cain became enraged with God and his brother Abel without cause (4:5); then stubbornness, when Cain resisted conviction, despite God lovingly warning him to forsake his sinful attitude (4:6-7); then violence, when Cain cruelly murdered Abel (4:8); then lying, as Cain denied his crime (4:9); and finally, self-pity and resentment, when Cain complained that God’s punishment was unbearable (4:13). All these stressful carnal thoughts, emotions, words, and actions put more on man than he was created to bear, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. The body was not designed to carry such a “sin load.” Through Christ’s redemption, we can be free from all of these additional and unnatural stresses… provided we trust Him and obey His Words, all of which are carefully designed to protect us from the crushing burdens of sin.

When in the fear of God we walk in love, fairness, truthfulness, and non-retaliation toward people, and maintain close fellowship with Jesus, we are not encumbered with heavy mental and emotional “stones.” Consequently our blood pressure is normal, our muscles are not contracted, our vital bodily systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, etc.) function properly, and our energy level is normal. In short, our inward stability preserves our outward health.

In these increasingly health-conscious times, we recognize all the other factors that affect our bodily health: nutrition, rest, exercise, hygiene, avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures, infections, and contagious diseases, and not consuming harmful substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Shouldn’t we also recognize and guard against the destructive emotional agitations caused by yielding to our carnal natures rather than to the Spirit and Word of God?

If we wisely do so, does this mean that we will never get sick? Or, if we do become sick, does this mean that we must have disobeyed God’s Word? No. God may test us (and Satan attack us) with physical illness at times (Job 2:1-10). Or we may occasionally become physically exhausted from excessive labor and need extra rest (Mk. 6:31; Phil. 2:25-30). But this remains sure: If we consistently yield and obey God’s Word day by day, we will consistently avoid stress-induced and stress-aggravated physical illnesses. The result will be divine health.

So if you want divine health, my friend, you can have it. And for a very low price: Just surrender, trust in God, and obey the exact scripture that applies to your present situation. Take this Bible medication “as needed” until the peace of God that passes all understanding keeps your mind and body day by day. I’m no physician, but that’s my prescription.

And here’s another, directly from the Great Physician, Jehovah-Rapha:

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” — Exodus 15:26

For your health’s sake, take it!

Trust me! I can help you.” The minute I spoke the words, I realized how utterly useless voicing them was, indeed how ridiculous my entire demeanor must be. There I was, crouching with hand extended, slowing walking forward, talking to a crow. And I didn’t even like crows.

It was promising to be another crisp fall day in the Lower Mainland in British Columbia. The sun was peering over the partly cloudy horizon as I took my daily morning walk. I was deep in thought, sorting through — well, to be honest, I was fretting about-the many details our pending move to Texas had imposed on the largely stress-free existence that I had grown accustomed to. As I rounded the corner and headed down the lane that runs along the Little League baseball field, my ruminations were interrupted by the obnoxious cawing of two crows. I quickly noticed the source of their consternation. In the grassy meadow, a third crow was jumping and flapping about, vainly attempting to fly. Somehow the scavenger had gotten his left wing stuck in the handle of a pink plastic bag. The poor bird had no chance whatsoever of getting airborne.

I gave the crow a wide berth and went on my way. His fellow crows would have to remedy his plight. And if they were unsuccessful? Well, one less crow in the world would not be a great loss, especially given the havoc these mean creatures can inflict on other birds.

I was only a few paces down the lane when the full importance of the crow’s plight registered in my mind: Unless I do something, this hapless bird is going to die. I turned in my tracks. At first I remained a good distance away from the crow. Crows are capable of launching a dive-bomber attack so threatening that it elicits terror in the heart of anyone who evokes their ire. Despite what I surmised could be warlike chirping of the two potential assailants above, I decided to see if I could get near enough to the grounded bird to remedy his plight.

The imprisoned crow initially responded with a flutter-filled hop away from me. But soon he seemed to realize that he did not have the wherewithal to evade me, and he signaled his capitulation by collapsing in the grass, gazing at me. It was then that I spoke: “Trust me! I can help you.” A fruitless, dumb gesture, I immediately thought. But how else could I assure the crow not only that I intended him no harm but also that I was his only hope for survival?

I would like to believe that the creature somehow understood my words. In any case, he didn’t move a muscle — indeed, he appeared uncharacteristically calm as I advanced slowly but steadily in his direction. The crow seemed to have decided to entrust his life to my hands, for good or for ill. (Equally miraculous, from my vantage point, the two feathered dive-bombers kept their distance in the tree above.) Stealthily I moved in, until I was so close that I could have actually touched the small body that lay motionless in the grass in front of me. I repeated softly, “Trust me! I can help you.” Then I reached out with both hands, carefully tore the plastic and pulled away the pink prison that had held the crow captive.

Mission completed, I resumed my walk. I became engrossed once again in my interior world, filled with the concerns about our pending move-selling a house, dealing with the immigration process, hoping that a position would open up for my wife. Again my thoughts were interrupted by a short series of caws coming from three crows flying overhead. As the birds expressed what seemed to be their gratitude, the words I had voiced just a few moments earlier reverberated in my mind: “Trust me! I can help you.” But this time, they were not spoken by me, but to me.

I continued my morning walk, musing about how often our loving heavenly Father speaks to us in the midst of difficulties, and about the response — faith — that his words are designed to engender in us. And I was quick to draw the obvious lesson: Just as the hapless creature needed to admit the hopelessness of his plight, cease struggling, and trust me unconditionally to receive my assistance, so also we must entrust ourselves to God.

As important as this connection is, it was not God’s message for me that crisp fall day. My musings took me to a deeper question: Why did the bird exercise faith? Only then did I glimpse what stands at the heart of the great mystery of trust: The crow had realized in his own way what we are called to realize. We only become willing to risk all and take the bold step of genuine faith-of entrusting ourselves to God fully, completely, unreservedly, for good or for ill-when we see in this particular situation that God is our last and only hope.

How close are you to your relatives? How well do you really know your spouse or child? How well do you know your friends? Do you know their favorite color? I’ve been to seminars where husbands are asked what their wife’s favorite color is. Some know, but most aren’t sure. The implication is that if men really loved their wives they would know them better.

I remember our youngest son asking me what God’s favorite color is. My wife immediately answered, “purple” and explained that purple is a color symbolizing royalty and honor. So I said, “Yea, purple!”

How well do you know the Lord? It is so easy to keep our distance from the Lord, not to draw close to Him. Sometimes we vacillate, drawing close to the Lord for a while, then falling away; the cycle continues on, year after year for so many Christians.

It is a real struggle for most Christians to remain on fire for the Lord everyday.

Let me venture out on a limb. Have you had better days with the Lord? Were there times in the past when you were really spending rich time with the Lord, but now you’ve cooled off? At times, you think back to those days and would love to regain that closeness to the Lord, but you aren’t sure how.

In the Old Testament, Moses was privileged to spend time with God in a very close way, that others couldn’t. “Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach the LORD; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him”(Exodus 24:1–2).

Of course, this was before the time of Christ and before the time when the Holy Spirit was given to all Christians. Yet, many Christians seem to live in the time of Moses, keeping their distance from the Lord, thinking that only “ministers” like Moses can actually have a close relationship with God. This is not the case.

“The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend”(Exodus 33:11). How did Moses earn the privilege of knowing the Lord as a friend, speaking to Him face to face?

First, it was God’s desire to draw close to Moses. It was God who made a way for Moses to come before Him. He drew Moses unto Himself, capturing His attention with a burning bush. Secondly, Moses was willing and available.

Believe it or not, God desires to draw close to each of us as He did with Moses. But are we willing and available? All day long God lights up burning bushes along our paths, attention-getters to woo us unto Himself.

This week, let’s consider the sacrifices Moses made to be a friend of God.

To draw close to God does require sacrificial living. Moses made at least five sacrifices in order to draw close to the Lord: Time, energy, reputation, personal ambition and an independent spirit.

Moses’ independent spirit had to be broken so that he would lean only on the Lord, not on his own power and strength. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”(Proverbs 3:5-6).

We’ll never draw completely close to the Lord if we continue to rely upon our own strength and power. We must relinquish control of our lives over to the Lord, becoming dependent upon Him. When we are IN-ourselves, we are IN-dependent, dependent upon what is IN us. But, when we accept what Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”(Matthew 19:26) we become dependent upon Christ, depending upon what is in Christ.

For Moses to be available and willing to be used by God he had to learn to depend on God, and let go of his own independent spirit. Through a series of events which God allowed in Moses’ life, he slowly moved away from his own strength and into God’s strength. Though toward the end of his life, he slipped back and lost his chance to enter into the promise land.

The more dependent we are on God, the more the Lord is able to work through our weaknesses. When Moses was depending on his own strength he was reactionary. When he saw a Hebrew being beaten by an Egyptian, Moses kill the Egyptian. Then, in fear for his own life he ran into hiding. However, after God broke his independent spirit, Moses goes before Pharaoh with confidence in the Lord, depending upon the Lord for answers, miracles and strength.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God”(Psalm 20:7).

TODAY’S CHALLENGE: Allow the Holy Spirit to examine your independent spirit. Are you trusting in your own strength and wisdom? To know God as a friend and to draw close to Him, we must learn to depend on Him.

Acts 9:1–19a — “Saul’s Conversion” (outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT) « Leader information shown in this fashion »

{A.} The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

{B.} Persecution and Expansion (6:1–9:31)

{1.} Stephen (6:1–8:1a)

{2.} Philip (8:1b–40)

A. Persecution & Dispersion (8:1b–3)

B. Philip in Samaria (8:4–8)

C. Simon Magus Believes (8:9–13)

D. Peter and John Visit Samaria (8:14–17)

E. Peter and Simon Magus (8:18–24)

F. The Apostles Return to Jerusalem (8:25)

G. Philip and the Ethiopian (8:26–40)

{3.} Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (9:1–31)

A. Saul’s Expedition to Damascus 9:1–2 (NKJV)

1. 1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

2. Right of extradition by high priest dates back to 2nd century B.C. (an example found in 1 Maccabees 15:21), confirmed by Julius Caesar (BC 47; Antiquities 14:10:2) « — also, comment on Damascus (cf Gen 14:15) and Aram (Syria) the home (in Nahor) where Abram dwelt (Deuteronomy 26:5) and the languages of the Old Testament: Aramaic (spoken in Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian-Median Empires; found in some chapters in Daniel et alii, used in Jesus’ day, a parent language of …) and Hebrew »

3. How had the church been prepared for Saul / Paul? « — the Holy Spirit to help it answer rulers; the persecution driving them out on the great commission; the conversion of Samaritans, them of a proselyte, heads to gospel for Gentiles, Paul’s apostleship »

4. How had Saul / Paul been prepared for the gospel? « — Stephen’s testimony including their guilty status and of Jesus’ exaltation »

5. What led Saul to harry Christians (Acts 26:11, Romans 10:2)? « — exceeding anger against them; misguided zeal »

6. What title is applied to Christianity? … what is its basis? (See Acts 16:17, 18:25-26) « — “the Way” first because Jesus is the Way, then the message is the Way of Life, or of God, or of Salvation »

B. The Light and Voice from Heaven 9:3–7 (NKJV)

1. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

2. Acts 26:14 tells us this speech was “in the Hebrew dialect” which in the New Testament refers to the current Jewish Aramaic. The later testimonies in Acts 22 & 26 naturally constitute a personal account while this is more that of a third party.

3. What are the implications of Jesus’ first question to Saul? « — (1) Jesus is with His people (2) the Head feels the pain in the body (3) attacks on the body are attacks upon its Head »

4. There have been attempts to explain this medically as a nervous condition resulting in light sensitivity and temporary blindness. What do any such attempts fail to resolve (2 Corinthians 4:4–6, Philippians 3:7)? « — the radical 180° change in Saul/Paul from persecuting antagonist to suffering defender of the Way; with a change in will, thought, love which dictated the rest of his life. »

5. Consider Saul’s response to the first question, with Galatians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:8, 9:1, Ezekiel 1:26, Acts 9:17, 27; what did Saul now recognize that was previously hidden from him? « — the majestic place of Jesus of Nazareth testified by Stephen »

6. What did Saul’s fellow-travellers experience (see also Acts 22:9)? « — they saw the light (but were not illuminated to the truth as was Saul); a careful comparison of the Greek shows they heard the voice (as a sound, cf John 12:29) but not as the “speaking words voice” that Paul heard. »

7. Quotation from The Sadhu (London, 1921), B.H. Streeter and A. J. Appasamy « — see The Book of Acts, F.F. Bruce, NICNT, p. 184 »

8. George Lyttelton (1747): “The conversion and apostleship of St. Paul alone, duly considered, was of itself a demonstration sufficient to prove Christianity to be a divine revelation.”

C. Saul Enters Damascus 9:8–9 (NKJV)

1. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

2. Describe Saul’s state! « — all of his theological training, his correct Pharasaic understanding of the Torah and other Scriptures has received a celestial beating; he is physically without sight; he is shocked in mind (and body, needing to get up from the ground and be led, unable to eat or drink). »

3. How did Saul’s experience resemble that in

a. Ezekiel 1:28, 3:15 (context is 1:1–3:15) « — a vision of the glory of God leaves Ezekiel totally astonished »

b. Daniel 10:7–11 (context is 10:1–21)? « — only Daniel, and not his companions, saw the vision; he was physically stricken »

4. What do we learn about God in this? « — He is Awesome »

D. Ananaias Sent to Saul 9:10–16 (NKJV)

1. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

2. What do you discover of Ananias’ character?

a. Verse 10 « — recognized the Lord; responded with obedience »

b. Verse 13 « — close enough relationship to God to raise question »

c. Acts 22:12 « — deservedly good reputation among the Jews »

3. Straight street, Darb al-Mustaqim, is still a main thoroughfare

4. How was Saul spending his 3 days of blindness? « — praying to the Lord newly-revealed to him and receiving an answer from Him »

5. Ananias’ qualms were answered by Jesus’ purpose for Saul; what was this? « — bearing Jesus’ name to the three groups who had rejected Him and consigned Him to an unjust execution »

6. What marks out “saints” in Ananias’ words (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21)? « — “saints” is the common New Testament designation of believers (especially by Paul) consisting of those invoking Jesus’ name in saving faith (”brethren” is the second such designation) »

7. When the Lord choses servants, what should their expectation be (John 15:20)? « — it is a privileged position, but being identified with the Lord Jesus Christ involves participation in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10) »

E. Ananias Visits Saul 9:17–19a (NKJV)

1. 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. …

2. How did Ananias demonstrate his trust in Jesus’ words? « — (1) he went (2) he addressed Saul as “brother” not as an enemy; even as a fellow believer (3) he expressed his mission as from Jesus »

3. What information does Paul add in his testimony in Acts 22:13ff? « — (1) Paul’s divine election (2) Paul’s mission (3) Paul’s need to confess Jesus’ name and saving power in baptism »

4. There has always been some dialogue as to whether Paul was fasting for these three days or was his not eating the result of the traumatic experience that he had had; it is doubtful if a final answer can be given. What were the major effects on Paul of Ananias’ visit? « — (1) restored sight (2) baptism (3) power of the Holy Spirit (4) answer to his prayers (5) renewed physical vigour »

In a poem titled “Moments of Joy” Denise Levertov tells the story of an old scholar who takes a room on the next street down from his grown children — “the better to concentrate on his unending work, his word, his world.” And though he comes and goes while they sleep, his children feel bereft. They want him nearer. But at times it happens that a son or daughter wakes in the dark and finds him sitting at the foot of the bed, or in the old rocker — “sleepless in his old coat, gazing into invisible distance, but clearly there to protect as he had always done.” The child springs up and flings her arms about him, pressing a cheek to his temple and taking him by surprise: “Abba!” the child exclaims, and Levertov concludes:

And the old scholar, the father,

is deeply glad to be found.

That's how it is, Lord, sometimes;

You seek, and I find. (1)

Though I would like to say that the majority of my life has been spent searching for God, it is more accurate to say that I have been sought. Even so, like the children in Levertov's poem, time and again I find myself bereft of his presence. Sometimes it just feels like I am in the dark.

One of my seminary professors once told me that God's presence is not the opposite of absence. At first glance this didn't seem the least encouraging. And yet even when I am stirred by his nearness, when God's presence seems an undeniable truth, am I not also stung by the reality of being away from home and the ache of longing to be nearer? What might this then mean for the moments when I am feeling tormented by his absence?

Scripture seems to say of the dark what children learn of their parents. The dark does not imply the absence of a caring person. “Though an army besiege me,” says David, “my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Psalm 27:3). David's confidence was not in the absence of darkness, but in the character of the one who watched over him. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).

How do we trust through the darkness? Is it religious naiveté that longs to believe there is someone there even through difficult times? Though I struggle when God seems far off, it is not without hope. When the land was dark with the death of Christ weighing on its shoulders, God sought despairing hearts in the darkness. The risen Christ is the certainty of God's nearness and the promise of his care. The words of Os Guinness are well posed: “Thus, Christians do not say to God, 'I do not understand you at all, but I trust you anyway.’ That would be suicidal. Rather, they say, 'Father, I do not understand you, but I trust you' — or more accurately, 'I do not understand you IN THIS SITUATION, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY I TRUST YOU ANYWAY.’ It is therefore reasonable to trust even when we do not understand. We may be in the dark about what God is doing, but we are not in the dark about God.”(2)

I have spent much of life bewailing the one who stood silent as I cried, disoriented in the dark and desperately reaching for something to make it better. WHAT IF HE WAS THERE ALL ALONG? Is there not reason to be awed by the God who says, “Follow me!” and expects me to trust that He won't leave me or forsake me? Should I not fear the one who won't let go, whose persistence I find exhausting and whose faith in me I find terrifying? Is there not reason to be humbled by the God who refuses to leave despite the words I shout in ignorance and my persistent disobedience? And do I not marvel at the God whose hand I can clearly see through the blinding pain of my life? Though uncertainty may surround me and the darkness bid me to see He is not there, I can trust Him. His name is Abba.

________

1. Denise Levertov, THIS GREAT UNKNOWING: LAST POEMS (New York: New Directions, 1999), 60.

2. Os Guinness, UNSPEAKABLE (New York: Harper Collins, 2005), 150.

________

Copyright © 2005 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

*

Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. — Matthew 6:25.

It has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when to-morrow’s burden is added to the burden of to-day that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourselves so, my friends. If you find yourselves so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to Him, and mind the present. — G. MacDonald.

One there lives whose guardian eye

Guides our earthly destiny;

One there lives, who, Lord of all,

Keeps His children lest they fall;

Pass we, then, in love and praise,

Trusting Him through all our days,

Free from doubt and faithless sorrow,-

God provideth for the morrow. — R. Heber.

A young man went away from home to embark in a modest enterprise. His capital was small, but it represented the earnings of many years. He had won the esteem of his employer, and, as he was about to leave, the merchant said to him, "Don, if you ever get into a tight place, let me know of it. I will be glad to help you." For awhile the young man prospered; then came a misfortune. This was followed by others in such rapid succession that he began to see before him bankruptcy and ruin. He thought of his old employer, and at last resolved to write to him and ask for help. He had not the courage to ask for the whole amount, but hoped the small sum he asked for would enable him to somehow retrieve his fortunes. He waited eagerly for an answer, but no answer came. He knew that the merchant was at home, and that he was not a man who ever procrastinated about what he intended to do. Don's heart grew sick. Tomorrow his creditors would seize upon his goods. There seemed to be no way of escape. As he sat wrapped in his gloomy thoughts, the door opened and his old employer stood before him.

"My boy," he said, "I received your letter, and while you said you wanted money, I made up my mind that you needed me. I have been to see your creditors, and they understand that my entire fortune is behind you."

His friend had kept his promise, but he had answered in a way that the petitioner had not dared to hope. Brother, if your Lord has given you exceeding great and previous promises, do not allow yourself to fear that he will not fulfill them. God doesn't always give his loved ones what they ask, but he never fails to supply their needs.

Years ago, a government official living at St. Petersburg died in utter destitution, leaving behind him, motherless, and without friend or relations, two little children, the one a boy of seven years of age, and the other a little toddling girl of three. Left in the house alone without money and without food, the little fellow did not know what to do to get food for his sister. At last, urged by the tears of the little one, he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please, God, send me three copecks (a penny) to buy my little sister a roll"; then he hurried off to the nearest church to slip it into an alms-box, believing in his simplicity that the prayer would reach heaven through this medium. A priest passing by observed the child on tiptoe trying to thrust the paper in, and, taking the paper from him, read the message. Returning home with the child, he took the little ones to his house, and gave them food and clothing they so much needed. On the following Sunday he preached a sermon on charity, in which he mentioned this touching little incident, and afterwards went around the church with a plate. When the offerings were counted, it was found that the congregation had given 150 ruble's, a large amount of money for that time.

A farmer needed a hired man. After trying several workers, who all failed to meet his standards, the farmer began to feel desperate.

Then another worker applied for the job. The farmer asked him, "What qualifies you for this job?" The man answered, "I can sleep at night."

That didn't sound too promising, but since he was desperate, the farmer hired the newcomer. That night there was a terrific thunderstorm. The farmer awoke, ran to the hired man's room and tried to arouse him. He could not. Muttering to himself something like, "I'll take care of him in the morning," the farmer went outside into the night and the driving rain. He found the barn doors securely closed, the hay stack well covered and the tractor put away in the shed. There was nothing he could do but return to the house and go back to bed. Then he understood why his new hired man had said, "I can sleep at night."

Isn't it comforting to know that when we have prepared ourselves for Jesus' coming by faithfully doing the things the Lord has made clear to us, he will take care of those things beyond our control?

-John Van Schepen Family Newsletter

During the Russian invasion of Romania in 1941, a Romanian soldier, Ana Gheorghe, became separated from his company. As he tried to find his way to the assembly point which had been designated for such a contingency, he came upon a broad grassy clearing which he would have to cross. There was no sight nor sound to indicate the presence of an enemy, but menace seemed to fill the air. How he wished for the presence of some of his fellow soldiers!

Stiffening his resolve, he began his dash across the meadow-only to see a Russian soldier suddenly materialize out of the grass, his rifle already aimed at him. Fear conquered training, as Gheorghe fell to his knees, then buried his face in his hands and began to pray.

As he prayed feverishly, he waited for the touch of the Russian's rifle, and the searing impact of the bullet which would end his life. But the touch was delayed, though he sensed the near approach of his enemy. Gheorghe opened his eyes, and saw the Russian soldier kneeling in front of him, his gun on the ground. The Russian was also praying.

Neither understood a word the other spoke, except for "Alleluia... amen." They tearfully embraced, then they walked quickly to opposite sides of the clearing.

"I learned a great lesson from our meeting in the grass," Gheorghe later told an American relative. "There is indeed strength in numbers, but the number needed for the greatest strength of all is two."

From an article by Daniel Christiansen, an American relative, in Moody Magazine, Feb. 1990.

Over a hundred years ago, a sixteen-year-old lad was singing happily at his work on his father's fishing boat. Some time before, he had given his heart to the Lord Jesus and confessed Him as his Savior. He loved to sing of Him and His precious love. Now, he was singing:

I've anchored my soul in the haven of rest,

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep o'er the wild stormy deep;

In Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Just as he finished singing the last line, "In Jesus I'm safe evermore," the heavy sail swung round, knocking him overboard, and he disappeared without trace. After searching in vain, the father, sad at heart, turned the vessel round and headed back to the port where the family were staying for the summer months. The poor mother was grief-stricken. Although the family members were filled with sorrow, their hearts were comforted that they sorrowed not as those who have no hope; the Word of God assuring them that He will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus at the coming of the Lord Jesus for His own (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

What, dear reader, is your hope? If on the things of this life only, death ends all that. Have you fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us, which we have as anchor of the soul, both secure and firm? Have you trusted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His precious shed blood? Oh! Lay hold of this blessed hope so that you too can sing, "In Jesus I'm safe evermore."

From: The Fisherman's Gospel Manual Chapter Two, London

Shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? — Matthew 7:11.

No good thing will he withhold from them that walk up-rightly. — Psalm 84:11.

The prayer of faith is the simple request of a trustful child to a father who possesses the means as well as the desire to grant it — of an intelligent child, who confides in the wisdom of a parent in the bestowal of the gift — of a loving child, who knows that nothing will be refused him which is really for his good, believing in the love of Him to whom his wants and griefs and joys are a matter of sympathy and tender consideration. — A. S.

How sweet, how blessed is the thought

That Thou dost hear Thy people’s cries,

And whether Thou dost give, or not,

‘Tis love that grants and love denies!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. — Proverbs 3:5.

For fifteen years I lived by the seaside, and was a frequent bather, and yet never learned to swim. I would persist in keeping one foot upon the bottom, for then I felt safe. But one day, in a rough sea, a great wave fairly picked me off my feet, and I struck out for dear life. I awoke to the fact that I could swim, that the waves would bear me up if I trusted them entirely, and I no longer clung to my way of self help. Even so does Christ save. How often the trying to help one’s self keeps from peace and rest! And when the soul first abandons all to Christ, ventures wholly on Him, that soul finds, to his own astonishment, that Christ indeed bears up and saves him. — H. W. Childs.

Soon as my all I ventured on Christ’s atoning blood,

The Holy Spirit entered, and I was born of God. — J. Dickie.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a re-warder of them that diligently seek him. — Hebrews 11:6.

In its first and simplest phase in Scripture, faith is the belief of a record or testimony; it is, secondly, belief in a person; and it has, lastly, the character of trust, which always points to what is future. Trust springs from the confidence in the person trusted. But trust in God has as many degrees as there are saints on earth. Some might not trust Him for a single meal, others can look to Him without misgivings to feed a thousand hungry mouths. — A. S.

Trust in Him, ye saints, forever;

He is faithful, changing never;

Neither force nor guile can sever

Those He loves from Him.

HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE

My Father's way may twist and turn,

My heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul I'm glad I know

He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may all go wrong

My hopes may fade away;

But still I'll trust my Lord to lead

For He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem

That day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, may all, on Him

Who maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see,

My eyesight's far too dim;

But come what may, I'll simply trust

And leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift

And plain it all He'll make.

Though all the way be dark to me,

He made not one mistake.

By A. M. Overton

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews 11:1

Whenever I mail a letter, it’s an exercise of trust. Let me explain what I mean. When I write to a distant friend, it’s impossible to deliver the letter myself. I need the help of the postal service. But for them to do their part, I have to drop my letter in the mailbox first. I can’t hang on to it. I have to place it in the mail slot and let go. Then I must trust the postal service to take over until my letter is delivered to my friend’s home. Although I can’t see what happens to it, my faith in the postal service assures me that my letter is as good as there!

Likewise, whenever we’re faced with a problem, our faith is challenged. Knowing that it’s impossible to resolve the difficulty ourselves, we recognize our need of God’s help. First, though, we must go to Him in prayer. Until that moment, we’re still holding on to our problem. We know the situation won’t get resolved until we let go and commit it into God’s hands. Once we let go, we then must trust God to take over until the problem is resolved in His way. Although we can’t see what He’s doing, our faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1), the assurance that His work is as good as done!

Have you exercised trust in Him today? — JEY

Help us, Lord, to give our burdens

To Your tender, loving care;

Grant us faith to trust You fully,

Knowing that each one You bear. — DJD

BIG is best! MIGHT is right! These words spell out the human philosophy of success. However, as we scan the pages of the Bible, it is very clear that God has a better perspective for victorious Christian living: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa.55:9)

Moses said to the people of Israel, “The Lord did not set His affection on you or choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut.7:7-9).

• When Noah built the ark, he was very much in the minority. But he was victorious!

• When Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers he was a decided minority, but he was finally victorious!

• When Gideon and his three hundred followers battled the great host of the Midianites, they were an insignificant minority. But they were victorious!

• When Elijah prayed down fire from heaven and put the prophets of Baal to shame, he was definitely in a minority. But he was victorious!

• When Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified by the Roman soldiers he was a despised minority, but he was victorious over death.

In our Christian service and witness Satan would have us think, as did those ten men who wre sent to spy out the land of Canaan, that they were as mere “Grasshoppers”, unimportant. However, the Holy Spirit would assure us, as Christ affirmed, “We should go and take possession of the land, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30-33).

With God the number or greatness is not the deciding factor, but his divine sufficiency; “… For there is no restraint (limitation) to the Lord to save by many or by few” (I Samuel 14:6 KJV). Someone has well said, “One with God is a majority, “ and the missionary song echoes: “LITTLE IS MUCH IF GOD IS IN IT”