Yesterday I had the rare privilege of sitting and receiving a sermon versus standing and delivering a sermon. Pastor Dan Guzman masterfully talked about moving from worry to peace - specifically about the “sin” of worry.
We worry about our “stuff” and we worry about what is happening or “not” happening in our lives right now. Worry consumes us, and according to the scriptures, when we worry - it is indicative of NOT trusting in God.
So, during the sermon Pastor Dan stopped and asked us to close our eyes and asked us to think about what is worrying us. If we are all honest - I think we all have something that we worry about. In my case, it was a glaring issue that consumes my day by day thoughts.
I like how this verse lays it out there for us. “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water."
In other words, trusting in God is like water to our soul causing our roots to go deep into the riverbank - sustaining us during drought and storms.
Yes, there will be seasons of difficulty and drought but as we learn to trust in God, our souls continue to be watered with faith (which, by the way, pleases God - Hebrews 11:6.)
“Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Pretty self explanatory wouldn’t you say? Trust in Him. You’ll be set when the heat comes in your life. You’ll always be green having life, looking like you have life. Fruit bearing at all times.
One of the most difficult things to do in this present period of time (the me, myself, and I generation) is to relinquish our control to someone else and depend totally on that person to lead and guide us. Trust is found in our unswerving belief that the God of Heaven will indeed work on our behalf to bring His perfect will for our lives into being.
Far too often in life we become completely focused on the trials and difficulties of life and we lose our focus on Christ. When Peter walked on the water with Jesus he was doing well until he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the waves.
The same is true of us today. God can get us through the most impossible situations but we must keep our focus and trust on Him. How can we ever expect to find help and healing when we are still focused on our difficulties and not our deliverer?
The Word of God let’s us know that we need to trust Him. Here are four reasons (“C’s”) why we should trust him.
He’s Conscious- This means He’s aware. The word of God says in (Matt 6:8) that our Heavenly Father knows what things we have need of even before we ask Him. Isn’t it good to know that we have a God that is omniscient or all knowing? That’s the first reason why you should trust Him, because He already knows everything about you.
He’s Concerned- (1 Peter 5:7) says cast, which means to throw, your cares, anxieties and worries on Him because He cares about you. Yes He cares about you! Whatever concerns you concerns Him. So whenever you’re faced with problems, situations and obstacles that seem insurmountable just throw them on Him, He can handle them.
He’s Consistent- This means He’s faithful and you can also count on Him and trust Him to do exactly what He say’s He will do every single time, even if others let you down and or found to be unreliable God will never let you down, you can always rely on Him. (I Cor 1:9) say’s that God is faithful. So even we are unfaithful to God, God remains faithful to us.
He’s Capable- (Eph 3:20) says that God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we could ask or think according to the power that He works in us. This would suggest to us that nothing is too hard for God. Even if He chooses not to grant our request, He’s still capable of supplying our every need.
When a person surrenders everything, places everything they know, love, and trust on the line and at the mercy of God. When a person willingly trusts God with their very life – not trying to control it in any way themselves. Then God marvels at and rewards their faith. The kind of faith that can move mountains. The kind of faith that is able to move through a storm or a drought or any disaster that might come your way.
A fitting poem by A.B. Simpson:
Once my hands were always trying; Trying hard to do my best; Now my heart is sweetly trusting, And my soul is all at rest. Once my brain was always planning, And my heart, with cares oppressed; Now I trust the Lord to lead me, And my life is all at rest. Once my life was full of effort, Now ’tis full of joy and zest; Since I took His yoke upon me, Jesus gives to me His rest.
May I challenge you today to take the ‘trust test?” Are you trusting God like you really should? Are your roots deep enough to pull you through any disaster that might come your way? Are you planted where God wants you? Are you being watered by the Word?
May God challenge all our hearts today to simply just trust in Jesus and He will take care of the rest.
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