2.1. Trust with the Heart and Acknowledge Him
Brethren, one has to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto [your] own understanding”. One must “in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. One who seeks to acknowledge God should “not [be] wise in [your] own eyes: [but must] fear the LORD, and depart from evil”. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Trusting in the Lord also requires one to “delight” thyself in Him and “commit” thy way (i.e. the plans and desires of thine heart) unto God and to do good and live in faithfulness (Psalm 37:3-4). If we trust in God we should not turn to the proud or resort unto lies. One who is wise should not boast of their wisdom, or should one who is mighty boast of his might, nor should the rich man boast of his riches. Similarly, one’s trust should not rest on the wisdom of men or of the world (Psalm 40:4; Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Corinthians 2:5).
2.2. Trust God at All Times
There is no time constrain on when we may trust in the Lord. We must trust in him at all times and pour our heart desires, pain and distress before him and regard him as our help in all situations. We should not place our hope in human beings in whom there is no help and our expectation should be of God in all things (Psalms 62:5&8; 115:9-11; 118:8 and146:3-5)
2.3. Obey and Rely on His Power
To trust God, is to obey his word and move on it without doubt. Abraham trusted God and moved in obedience when he was asked to leave his father’s house to a destination that God promised him; and Jacob also moved to go to Bethel as God commanded him (Genesis 12:1-8; Genesis 35:1-3).
We distrust God when we tempt Him or speak against him. For example, the children of Israel “tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust” even though they knew His works and his wonders which he showed them and their fathers. They spoke against God by asking, “can God furnish a table in the wilderness?…can he give bread also? Can he provide bread for his people?” (Psalm 78:11-16 &19-20). Similarly, the Pharisees and High Priest questioned the paternity of Jesus as the son of God and the Christ because they believed not in the power of God (Matthew 24:64-65; Luke 22:66-71; John 8:18-19 &24-25)
Brethren, when one questions or doubts the power of God to do anything you are in distrust as when you ask God for things for your lusts, or you judge spiritual things with carnal understanding. To do this is to demonstrate that one does not believe in God and trusts not in His salvation. (Psalm 78:22).
We should emulate the example of Jesus. The devil tempted him saying: “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone”. Yet “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”. (Matthew 4:7-8; Psalm 91:11-12). “. Even though Satan was citing the word of God to lure him and Jesus knew he was the son of God, he did not doubt the power of God nor did he lust after his status as the only begotten son of God.
2.4. Wait on God in Trust
You need to “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him” and hope in his word. One must not fret over anyone who prospers in evil or one who accomplishes things by wicked schemes. Do not repay evil but wait on the Lord who shall save you. If you trust God, you must cease from anger, forsake wrath and fret not over any situation to do evil. (Psalm 37:7-8; 130:5; Proverbs 20:22).
To wait on the Lord in trust also requires that one does not seek to manipulate situations, including attaining to God’s words and promises by deceitfulness. For example, it was a promise of God from birth that the elder brother Esau would serve the younger brother Jacob, who will be stronger. However, rather than waiting patiently in faith upon God’s word, to fulfil in time and manner according to His purpose, Jacob and his mother Rebekah, obtained the blessing from Isaac by deceit and manipulation, causing strife between the brethren (Genesis25:23; and 27:1-45 ).
Brethren we should resist from scheming and manipulations to achieve our desires and needs including interpreting God’s words and promises to accomplish our needs these by deceit, fraud, lies and manipulation. Promises, that God “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:19), excludes riches that are acquired corruptly or fraudulent gains.
2.5. Trust Should Dispel Fear
Also, to trust God means one should not be afraid of the wicked, our enemies, foes, or the host of adversaries that encamp against us or the war that should rise up against us. When we are afraid, we must put our trust in Him, and praise His word. (Psalm 27:1-4; 46:1-5; 56:2-5). One should not consider the conspiracies against us “neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid” but rather should “sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:12-13).
This example of courage was demonstrated by the boy David who fought and defeated the giant Goliath. He sanctified the name of the Lord by placing his strength not in sword, spear or a shield, but “In The Name of The Lord of Hosts” ; and in confidence that the LORD will deliver the enemy into his hand for the battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
Brethren be always minded that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”, and let your praises and testimonies inspire trust and courage (2 Timothy 1:7).
2.6. Trust in God Requires Belief in Christ
Trust in God requires one to regard him as your light and salvation and your strength. Trusting in God ultimately requires those that believe in Him to trust in His salvation that is wrought in Jesus Christ for the praise and Glory of God. The trust here is perfected when one hears and believes the “word of truth, the gospel of your salvation”; and after that you believed you were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 12:2; Ephesians 1:11-12)
- REWARD FOR TRUSTING
