Trust

We live in a society where there is very little trust:

• Husbands don’t trust wives / wives don’t trust husbands.
• Children lose trust in parents.
• Friends lost trust in one another.
• People don’t trust politicians / doctors / hospitals etc.…
• Because of so many cults, the unbeliever is afraid to trust Christians.

If you are one that people have trust in, consider it a great honor and a very rare one.

In this study, we want to see that there are some things you can trust in, and some things not to trust in, and how to know the difference.

What NOT to Trust In

• Worldly wisdom

(Proverbs 14:12), “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

What we mean by “worldly wisdom” is the claim of a person saying that they know what they are doing, without including God or His instructions concerning the matter.

Hospitals, prisons, graveyards, and even Hell is full because man continues to do things his own way. What has worldly wisdom done for us? From the very beginning, with Adam and Eve, it has caused us nothing but heartache and devastation.  Worldly wisdom is contrary to God’s ways. It has done nothing but get us into so much sin and trouble.  So much, that only Jesus can get us out of it!

Oftentimes, people make decisions based on emotions, feelings, lust, or assumptions. They became blinded to the truth and facts by these, only to find out they have made a great mistake. All too often it costs people a very heavy price. They have allowed their hearts to deceive them in so much that nothing in heaven or earth could convince them that their thinking incorrectly, and relying on decisions that are leading down a road of only disappointment, pain, and even death!

(Proverbs 28:26), “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”

• Oppression

(Psalm 62:10a), “Do not trust in oppression…”

Don’t push your way to power and don’t hang around those that do, because it will not get you anywhere but on the bad side of God. Also, those that use and trust oppression to get what they want put themselves in a position where they will always have to be looking over their shoulders for those that might seek revenge.

• Riches

(Psalm 62:10b), “…Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.”

(Proverbs 11:28), “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”

God’s Word warns here not to lose focus where our happiness, safety, and peace come from. All these important things of life come from having a proper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Lord blesses our lives with the increase of riches, we are to be thankful but never trust them to “secure” us in future prosperity and safety. Riches come and go and all the money, silver, and gold cannot stop us from dying. It is the Lord’s love and concern for us that are the true riches of life that we are to put our trust in. He is our Rock, our Defense, our Shield, and High Tower. In Him we do trust!

• Idols

(Psalm 115:4-8), “Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.”

Stallion horns, rabbits’ feet, horseshoes, models of ‘saints,’ statues (in home, business, car…), Greek icons, etc.… We are not to trust these or any other safety or prosperity.

It may seem to some, that people do not rely on idols in this day and age, but one does not have to go far to see these in homes, in cars, and on gold chains being worn around people’s necks. These works of men’s hands fashioned from wood, stone, or metals have never helped anyone. On the contrary, they have only greatly deceived multitudes that have indeed trusted in them.

What to Trust In

• The Lord Jesus Christ and all that He taught us

(Jeremiah 17:7-8), “”Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

Trust does not come cheap. Jesus earned our trust. When the lost approach God, the Bible, and Christianity, they are cautious, nervous, and even afraid because they have been disappointed, let down, and even used by religion and those who claim to be Christians. But when they do finally come to God, they find truth, provision, care, salvation, and love. They discover that Jesus earned the right to be trusted (He has the scars to prove it!). Please read (Psalm 36:7). Jesus earned our trust on Calvary. No one ever cared for us like Jesus, nor ever will. His teachings have proven to be trustworthy, because they are flawless and only guide us in peace, love, and righteousness. (Psalm 52:8) “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”

• Trust in His Mercy, but Don’t Take Advantage of it. Be sincere about repentance and learning from your mistakes.
• Trust in the Lord, but Don’t Be Foolish About it: For example; If we find ourselves not paying our bills on time, we cannot just sit back and think we will just trust the Lord to bring in the money. We must first stop excess spending, and second, get more income by getting a better paying job, or get a second job till the debt is paid. We are to trust the Lord and be wise, not foolish. Oliver Cromwell, while in battle shouted, “Trust in God, but keep your powder dry.”
• Trust in God’s Word. The Bible has been time tested. It’s guidance and directions have proven to be flawless! It has well-earned our respect and total trust. Those who follow the Word of God find power, deliverance, peace, and prosperity in life’s true riches. God’s Word is a friend that will always be there for you and never let you down.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

How Does God Teach Us to Trust in Him?

• By His Word: As we have seen already in our study.
• By creation: Creation tells us we can trust in God. He faithfully gives us light and warmth by the sun, air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and so much more
• By experience: God puts us into impossible positions and eliminates all other possibilities. We wind up in a position where we have only Him to trust (Moses and Israel at the Red Sea, Gideons army reduced to 300 to go against 1,000, Peter walking on water).
• By your heart:

(Proverbs 3:5), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

The Results of Our Trust in the Lord

• Blessings

(Jeremiah 17:7-8), “”Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.”

• Happiness

(Proverbs 16:20), “…And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

• Safety

(Proverbs 29:25), “…whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

• Help and strength

(Psalm 28:7), “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices…”

• Salvation

(Romans 10:13), “For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”