Thank you so much for joining us today! We have a big topic this week. Actually, it is quite vital! There are a lot of the decisions we make that are based on trust. Today we will ponder on whether or not we honestly ‘trust‘ God and what that means. Today’s post was written by my wife, Donna. Thank You Lord, for making this post a revelatory and personal one for all who read it! Eric

As we read the story of Hannah in the book of 1 Samuel, we discover she was married to a man named Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah who had children, and Hannah, who was barren. In Old Testament times, a woman who could not bear children was viewed as cursed by God.

Every year Elkanah and his family traveled to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:3). Verse 7 reveals that “year by year her rival (Peninnah) provoked Hannah severely to make her miserable because she was barren.” Verse 10 lets us know how difficult things became for Hannah, “She was in bitterness of soul and wept in anguish.” As we read on, we find that despite her feelings, after intense intercession, Hannah “entrusted the longing of her heart to God,“

Can you imagine? “Year after year feeling forsaken and forgotten, feeling like she was isolated from God Himself!” (Alistair Begg). Can you relate to Hannah?

Then, there was David. In Psalm 13 (NKJV), in the first two verses, David cried out to the Lord, “How long…” Verse 1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” In these two verses, David cries out “How long?” four times! Was it easy for David to face the circumstances and situations that arose in his life?

However, look at verse 5, “But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” ‘Trusted’ in the Hebrew means: to have confidence, to be secure, and to feel safe.

Even though David ‘felt’ like he was forgotten and forsaken, even though David experienced sorrow in his heart daily - he had confidence and was secure in His relationship with God, and that alone gave him reason to rejoice!

Something all believers must understand is that we will face trials, struggles, and calamities. (1 Peter 4:12). In those times, we need to also realize that even though things are difficult and very hard for us, God has not, and will not forsake nor abandon us.

My goals for this post are that we will understand the meaning of the word ‘trust’ in regard to our relationship with God; and by the conclusion, that you will be able to know and answer, beyond a shadow of a doubt, whether or not you honestly ‘trust’ God.

Charles Spurgeon had much to say about trusting God. I want to begin by looking at a number of his quotes: (I may note a scriptural reference or make comment following the quote).

“If you trust Christ, you rest the whole weight and stress of your soul’s affairs upon Him,” (Matthew 11:28 NLT). This is what Hannah and David did!

“The mark of being truly saved (being a believer) is that one trusts in Jesus.”

“Where trust in Jesus is found, that soul is God’s possession.” (1 Peter 2:9)

“True trust in Christ is an entire reliance upon Him.” We cannot rely on others, self, doctors, or the government.

“We have not trusted Him at all unless we are prepared to accept His commands as the rule of our lives.” If we truly trust God, we will be obedient to His Word. (John 14:15)

“The trust which lives on man’s lips and never affects their hearts is a deadly delusion.” If we say we trust God, but it does not affect our hearts, as evidenced in our actions and words, we are being delusional.

“The presumptuous trust which indulges in sin and boasts of forgiveness in Christ, is in itself an aggravation of a sinful life, and will involve its possessor in increased condemnation.” If we believe we can continually live with sin in our lives since we ‘know’ that God will forgive us - we will bring condemnation upon ourselves.

“True trust is for every-day wear and use, and between here and heaven it will be tested in every conceivable way.”

Why do people not trust God or His Word? One reason, according to Kenneth Hagin, is that, “many have not learned just how trustworthy the Word of God really is.” “It is having confidence in the authority and integrity of God’s Word that enables us to trust God.” (Kenneth Hagin).

How do we gain confidence in the authority and integrity of God’s Word? We must know it and act on it. These words of the Lord are recorded In Isaiah 55:11 (CSB), “so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do." When we understand that the Word of God is life, truth, powerful, and accomplishes what it is sent forth to accomplish, then we will learn to put our trust in God’s infallible Word.

One area in which I have seen many fail to trust God in, is the area of their finances and particularly regarding tithing. We have heard people say over and over again, “ I can’t afford to tithe.” Eric and I always respond with, “We can’t afford not to tithe.”

When we were first married and Eric was pioneering a church, our gross income (before taxes) was $50.00 a week. Since we both firmly believed God’s Word concerning tithing (giving of the firstfruits, a tenth), we tithed $5.00 a week. So, after taxes, that left us with approximately $37.00 to live on. We never once had a bill go unpaid. We were paying rent, buying food, filling our car with gas, paying our utility bills - doing everything we needed to live! Whenever we needed funds, they were there.

To give you an example: when Eric was out mowing one day, my sister came to visit. She had spent some time with one of my previous pastor’s wife. Before Sonnie left, she gave me some money, gifted to us, from the pastor’s wife. Right after Sonnie left, Eric came into the house because a belt on the lawn mower had broken. Because of that gift, Eric was able to replace the belt and finish the mowing! I had not seen this pastor’s wife for three years! However, the Lord used her to meet our need that day.

During that season of our life, we also had someone approach us and ask if we would be interested in living in their homestead house, rent free, until their son was discharged from the military. That way, the house would not be sitting empty for any length of time. We never spoke to anyone about our finances. God knew!

In very tangible ways, we learned the truth of God’s infallible Word. Because we brought our tithe into the storehouse, God met every need and poured out His blessings upon us! (Malachi 3:10 and 11). We have always been able to trust God in the area of our finances.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 17:7 and 8 (CSB), “The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. 8 He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn't fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.” The word ‘trusts’ in verse 7 means: having confidence, to be secure, and to feel safe.

When we talk about trusting God it doesn’t mean “that life doesn’t have difficulties, but those difficulties are nothing to fear and we can remain confident in God in the midst of them.” (Rick Renner)

Psalm 56:3 (Amplified Bible) reads, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You.” Notice, this verse doesn’t say “IF” I am afraid, it says “WHEN” I am afraid. We must make the decision to turn that situation over to the Lord. Trusting God means trusting His promises, not our fears. I don’t know about you, but that is where I want to live!

Hebrews 10:23 (Amplified Bible) instructs us, “ Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]” “To trust God in the process involves surrendering control, having faith in God’s plan, and embracing uncertainty with patience and perseverance.” (faithinthedivine.com)

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 (Amplified Bible), “Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” Benson Commentary, concerning these verses, states, ”Wholly and securely rely upon God’s wisdom, power, and goodness, and upon His providence and promises, for direction and help in all thine affairs and dangers.”

Lastly, we will examine Psalm 31, a Psalm of David, verses 9 through 14 (NLT) from Barnes Notes on the Bible Commentary:

“But I trust in thee, O Lord - In these times of trial - when his eye was consumed with grief; when his years were spent with sighing, his strength failed, and his bones were consumed; when he was a reproach among his neighbors, and dreaded by his acquaintances; when he was forgotten as a dead man; and when he was surrounded with causes of alarm. Then he trusted in God. His confidence did not fail. He believed that God was his Father and Friend; that He was on the throne; that He could protect and defend him; and he left himself and his cause with Him. In such circumstances as these, there is no other sure refuge but God.”

Then, we see that trusting God means making the relationship personal as we read David’s words in verse 14, “But I am trusting You, Oh Lord, saying, “You are my God!”

After reading this Psalm and realizing the circumstances and burdens David bore, then finding his response in verse 14 - my question to you is not only: Do you, or Can you trust in the Lord? My question has become - Will you trust in the Lord?

“Trusting God means staying with Him through the fire.” (Rick Renner). You must choose or make the decision to trust God. 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Bible) urges “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

To ‘trust’ means more than believing in who He is, and what He says. It means:

Having confidence

To be secure, and

To feel safe in Him!

The inspiration for my post today was “Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle:

"Trust In You"

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see
I've tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side

When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood

When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

NKJV New King James Version

NLT New Living Translation

CSB Christian Standard Bible