Trusting in God (Part 6)

The Part We Play

Although they are often subtle, there are indications in the Word about what part we can and should play when waiting on or trusting in God. Yet, our part usually has nothing to do with actually solving the problem – something that can be challenging to our human nature – but bringing the problem to God.

Paul’s instructions above tell us that our part is to actively take our concerns to God in prayer and with thanksgiving. The first two verses of Psalm 91 also tell us we have actions to take if we are to receive God’s generous protection, i.e., we are to dwell in his presence, and believe and trust in him. Psalm 37 assigns us many actions for us to take in order to receive God’s blessings:

‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity … Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.’ vs 1, 3-5, 7.

We need to seek God to direct our paths constantly. As is later written in this same psalm:

‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.’ Psalm 37:23-24.

Because we can never be as wise and knowledgeable as God, we shouldn’t rely on ourselves or others to find the way forward or to know what to do. We should, however:

‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.’ Proverbs 3:5-8.

When we have a worry or a problem, we need to actively seek God:

‘Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ Jeremiah 29:12-13.

We need only ask God for help, and then trust him to bring it to pass:

‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ Matthew 7:7.

'Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’ Psalm 143:8.

But we must ask in full belief that God will answer, ‘in faith, nothing wavering’ (James 1:6). Without faith, it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). Of course, the answer we receive from God may not be the one we were hoping or asking for, but even in such times we must continue to trust God – that he knows the situation better than us and is working things out with our ultimate best interests at heart (Romans 8:28), even if we can’t see it right now.

God and his Son are truth (John 14:6), love (1 John 4:8), light (1 John 1:5), and peace (Romans 15:33). These are the elements they will bring into our life, if we trust and obey.