Have Faith in Godနမူနာ

TRUST IN THE LORD AT ALL TIMES

INTRODUCTION

Trust is the most important thing in the life of believers. Apostle Paul taught us that the righteous will live by faith in Lord Jesus. 

If someone asks you this question, “Do you believe in Lord Jesus?”, you will answer, “Yes, I believe in Him.” However, when someone asks you, “Do you believe in Lord Jesus when you are in the midst of big problems and difficulties?”, you might answer, “Yes, I believe.” But what is the reality? Most people would argue, “I will believe in God when He has answered my prayers.”

SHARING

Let us read Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

We learn from the above verse how we should respond when we face a challenge or a problem: 

1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

Trusting the Lord will all your heart is the antonym of doubting God and His words. Trusting the Lord with all your heart could only happen when we have a good personal relationship with Him and strong confidence that God is reliable. As the children of God, we should believe that our Father in heaven really loves and cares for us. 

Read: Matthew 10:31, So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

When we believe, we do not need to be afraid nor worry about our lives. We will surrender everything to His hands. Why? Because the Lord will guide us on the right path. He never makes a mistake. The right path will give us victory in the midst of life’s problems. The right path will guide us to obtain His grace to receive His promises. 

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. (Psalm 86:7)

2. Do not lean on your own (human) understanding 

Man’s understanding is limited and prone to mistakes, while God’s understanding is unlimited. Therefore, we must be enlightened by the Word of God and led by the Holy Spirit. How could we do that? We have to pray to ask for God’s wisdom and will in our every decision and life’s purpose. 

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding (Proverbs 2:3)

(This verse refers to God’s understanding and intelligent wisdom from the Lord) 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:7)

Below are some examples in the Old Testament about how God thwarted man’s understanding: 

A. Nimrod tried to build the Tower of Babel and united all mankind under one government, however, God confused their language and scattered them over the face of the whole earth (God’s purpose).

B. Esau was so angry when Jacob deceived him. Jacob thought Esau must still have a grudge against him, however, when God brought them together, Esau was so touched that he cried when saw his brother again. 

C. Joseph’s brothers intended to harm Joseph by selling him to Egypt, but God used this event for good by using Joseph to prepare himself to be a blessing for his family members and Israelites. 

D. Israelites were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord had a plan to set them free by showing His power and glory.

E. Bileam was asked by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. God had a way to change Bileam’s mind to bless Israel instead. 

F. Haman set up a pole for Mordecai, but in the end, he was the one who was hanged on the pole. 

G. Jonah refused God’s command to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh, however, God prepared a big fish to change Jonah’s heart. 

3. In all your ways submit to Him 

In all your plans, decisions, and actions, we should acknowledge God as our Lord and His will as our highest desire. Do not forget to expect His instructions in “prayer and petition and thanksgiving”.

Read Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

We do things not to seek man’s praise. We want to praise Him. Whether it is our job, ministry, or any other things, remember that everything is from Him, by Him, and for His glory. If we do everything for the Lord, we will do it with love. 

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5)

CONCLUSION

Trust in the Lord at all times and in all situations: in joy and sorrow, in bad and good, in sickness and health, in rich and poor. Keep persevering in prayer, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and be thirsty to read the word of God. Immanuel.