Saturday 7 April 2018

Can we really trust God?


It is natural, of course, for children to trust their parents. They accept without questionning that their parents love them and will  "not give them a stone if they ask for bread" or "give them a snake when they ask for a fish" (Luke 11:11).

This natural trust which we all have at birth continues as we grow up until some day someone hurts us for the first time. We become wary and careful to protect our vulnerability. Our trust dies a little. We become more selective in whom we trust and how much we trust different people.

It is in our nature to be careful and self-protective in this way. To trust everyone explicitly without question borders on immaturity or naivety to the extreme.

So, how do we get to totally trust an unseen God? A God we have grown to believe in, and now we purport to trust that He loves us and has our best interest at heart?

How do we trust Him when/if we've experienced frequent un-answered prayers; or when things go wrong in our lives?

Sure, it is easy to say glibly, "Trust in God", He wants the best for us, He loves us, and so on.

But at what point do we really trust Him above all else and say, "Thy will be done", and honestly mean it?

Regardless of the outcome of the situation, however bad it may be, we trust Him all the same. Because we know deep in our hearts that He will see us through our current difficulties.

It seems impossible doesn't it? To totally trust an unseen God without question. Just like a child.

But we have examples of others who have done just that.

The Virgin Mary trusted Him so much that she declared, "let it be as God says", when she was visited by the Angel Gabriel.

Joseph trusted Him too when he took Mary as his wife.

Paul, Peter and the other early followers of Christ trusted Him too even when thrown into jail several times, were beaten, persecuted, stoned and put to death. They didn't say, "Enough with all that. God has let us down many times and let us be imprisoned and beaten".

They still held on to their trust. Even to the point of death itself. They still trusted God and His Son Jesus.

How?

I suppose it is by surrendering their all to God. Literally giving their everything, their lives even, to God, in the full knowledge that, whatever happens, it will be for the good. They literally accepted that their lives were not their own and that their God, the God in Whom they trusted, would protect them even if it meant that they would die for Him.

These days of macho-liberated culture, we tend to consider surrender as a weakness.

In fact it is a strength.

Can you imagine the will-power and concentration of mind required to say, "I totally trust you God, no matter what happens. You will look after me and my loved ones"?

And really believe it ... yes, really and truly believe it.

To be one thousand per cent certain that all will turn out all right?

This is no sign of weakness, no sign of surrender; but an act of strength and faith in the extreme.

To many this may seem impossible. Too difficult a proposition. Against our very nature to be wary and suspicious.

Perhaps so. But it should not stop us from trying.

And when our trust falters. When we hesitate and perhaps our "inner voice" makes us doubt His true love. We stop, ask His forgiveness, and start once again.

Through His grace He will lift us up and renew our trust in Him once again.

12 comments:

  1. Yes. Yes. Yes!

    You say it well.

    This was good to read today.

    "Thy will be done", and honestly mean it?"

    I think this is the key. I don't believe in unanswered prayer. Sometimes we aren't listening or don't like the answer. Sometimes it is no, sometimes yes, sometimes wait. Sometimes it is, "Do this," and we wanted to do something else. But as the saying goes, don't be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. His character and our experience with Him lets us know that. I suppose that is something we learn because we see it again and again. Experience is a good teacher.

    God bless you, Victor.

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    1. The thing is, Sandi, trusting God is a gradual process. Humans want everything quickly. We are impatient. We should learn to slow down, listen believe, and trust.

      God bless.

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    2. "We should learn to slow down, listen believe, and trust."

      Wise words, Victor. Thank you. It is something I feel like I re-learn every day.

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  2. "Thy will be done" - the prayer that is ALWAYS answered. Wonderful reflection, Victor! Blessings!

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    1. To say, "Thy will be done" and to really mean it.

      God bless you and your family, Martha.

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  3. This is such a beautiful and profound post, Victor! I know, personally, as I've grown older I have found it easier to just surrender to God's will. I feel His love.

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    1. You are so fortunate, Terri. Many find it difficult to do like you.

      God bless you and yours.

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  4. I remember hearing as a kid that God never gives you anything you can't handle. In reality, we really aren't in control, God is. We make decisions, some good, some bad but when I find myself in an uncomfortable situation, God has always been there and sometimes I tend to forget that. He's there all the time!

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    1. You are right, Bill. God never gives us anything we cannot handle. St Paul said so in his letter to the Corinthians:

      “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out”. (1 Corinthians Chapter 10 Verse 13).

      God is always in control, and He allows things to happen in our lives, good and bad. Often these are of our own making anyway; and He will see us through them if we trust Him enough.

      God bless.

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  5. I think looking back after we've been through good or bad times and then we can see how God was with us all the time. We can see that His hand was upon us the whole time. Then when the next thing comes along we know we can trust Him this time too.

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    1. Yes indeed, Happyone. Often, when I look back on my life I can see that God was with me during the bad times and helped me through them.

      God bless you and yours.

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