You Can Trust God
During World War II, in the terrible days of the Blitz, a father, holding his small son by the hand, ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb.
In the front yard was a shell hole. Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow. Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy replied, ‘I can’t see you!’ The father called to the silhouette of his son, ‘But I can see you. Jump!’ The boy jumped because he trusted his father. In other words, he loved him, he believed in him, he trusted him and he had confidence in him.
‘Faith’, in the Bible, is primarily about putting our trust in a person. In that sense, it is more akin to love. All loving relationships involve some element of trust. Faith is trust in God that transforms all your other relationships.
Be confident in the Lord - Proverbs 3:21-35
Are you a confident person? If so, where does that confidence come from? Does it come from what you do or what you possess? Does it come from your education, looks, sporting ability, or some other skill you have? Does it come from what other people think about you?
There is nothing wrong with these things. Be confident, but ultimately your confidence should come from ‘the Lord’. It is possible to have none of the other things and still be confident.
The writer of Proverbs says, ‘The Lord shall be your confidence’ (v.26a, AMP). The object of your faith is a person, ‘the Lord’. God is the one person you can totally trust in everything. This ‘confident trust’ (v.23, AMP) transforms the way you live your life. It gives you:
Wisdom: The fool is ‘self-confident’ (v.35, AMP). But those who are confident in the Lord are wise: ‘Preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you’ (v.21). Wisdom, good judgment, and discernment come from walking closely with God.
Peace: Success at work, wealth, and fame is of little value if you do not have peace. Peace comes from a right relationship with God. There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience: ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster’ (v.24–25a). Whatever happens, you can trust that God is with you and in control.
Goodness: ‘Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person’ (v.27, MSG). Take every opportunity to do good; if you have the ability to help someone, do not delay (v.28).
Love: Do not contrive or dig up or cultivate evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly and confidently beside you’ (v.29, AMP). Trust in God leads to a love for your neighbor.
Intimacy: ‘The Lord… takes the upright into his confidence’ (v.32). When the Lord is our confidence, he takes us into his confidence. This is a wonderful image of what intimacy with God looks like: ‘His confidential communion and secret counsel’ (v.32a, AMP).
Humility: God ‘gives grace to the humble’ (v.34b). If your confidence comes from trusting the Lord you will have no cause for pride. God promises to give you grace, blessing, and honour (v.33–35).
Lord, help me to live the life of faith – walking closely with you and putting my trust and confidence in you.
