Several decades ago there was a game show on television called Who Do You Trust? The gist of the game was whether one spouse trusted the other to answer questions accurately. You have to wonder if that situation caused some disgruntled husbands or wives. A lack of trust may have developed from that experience!
Who do you trust? Who do you know, that in every situation, in every occasion, you can trust that person without question or reservation? For most people, that list of persons is usually rather short.
In our lives we go through times of difficulty and trial and we do come out on the other side having learned some very valuable lessons. The COVID-19 experience may be one of those times where we can learn something about trust.
The most valuable lesson we could learn through this time is that we must learn to trust God. There is much more we don’t know about the virus than that which we do know. It brings to light many unanswered questions. Why do some get Ill, and others don’t? Why do some recover, and some don’t? How can we combat something that is invisible? Why do medical professionals differ so greatly about the cause and effects of the virus?
Yet with all those questions, we do have one absolute that brings us assurance and peace. That is, of course, that in our God we have hope. We know He is Holy; He is all powerful, and He can be trusted above all else.
Why can we trust God? The Bible, God’s Holy Word must be our focus. It holds all the wisdom of God. It is God speaking to us. And we are privileged to hear from Him, simply by opening and reading the Word.
We are told in Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
This trust goes beyond just feeling close to God. It goes beyond our own understanding. It requires that we desire His involvement in our lives. When we accept that relationship with God, even in difficult times, we will trust that God understands and He will remain with us during those times.
Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Trusting God can be a challenge to us. But there are valid reasons we should, and can trust Him in all things.
Trust God because there is nothing that is too difficult for Him. Jeremiah 32 tells us, “…Lord, you made the heavens and the earth…”; “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for Me?”
Look at His deeds: He created the universe out of nothing. He split the Red Sea. He shut lions’ mouths to save Daniel. He fed 5.000+ people with a few loaves of bread and fish. He caused a virgin to conceive a child. His work goes on and on.
We can trust God because nothing is too difficult for Him.
We can Trust God because He is our Shepherd.
A shepherd feeds, protects and leads His flock. He is concerned when we wander away from His truth and away from His presence – Matthew 9:36: “….. because we are confused and helpless He has compassion on us”.
As our shepherd, He will give His live for our protection. John 10:11 – He lays down his life for his sheep.
We can trust God because He is our Helper
As we go through this difficult time here in 2020, can you even imagine going through it without God’s help? Consider those who have never named Jesus Christ as Lord, never repented of their sin, and confessed Jesus as Savior, nor been baptized into Christ. How are they coping with all the uncertainties and destruction with no one or nothing to turn to but human inadequacies? But, praise God, we who trust in God have a divine helper who provides the strength to get us through the trials. Only that Helper can do that and cause us to not only survive this time, but to cause us to thrive each day, trusting in Him.
Psalm 121 encourages us when the psalmist writes: “I lift up my eyes to the hills --- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord; the Maker of heaven and earth.” We can, with confidence know that we have access to His care. He is never off duty. He won’t have to “re-open” after the pandemic has subsided. We don’t need to practice social distancing with God.
The old, old song says, “Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.”
----- Gary K Fair
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