Thursday, August 13, 2009
Trust God!
It is hard to trust God, especially when we pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and we still don't see His answer. But, God's word is a great anchor to cling to, especially when our feelings are letting us down.
Remember to trust God even when you can't see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the answer yet. Here are some verses to help.
Genesis 49:18 says, "I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!" If we're sure we have our salvation from the Lord, all of the other requests sort of fall into place. We might need help with our finances, our marriage, our children, or a host of other concerns; however, if we're sure we're right with God, it eliminates the biggest worry of all. Make sure you've got that cleared up first before praying, and praying, and praying, and praying for all of the other stuff.
Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Here's the problem with living in the twenty-first century. The world offers us tons of short-cuts. If you're stressed, have a glass of wine, or two, or three... to calm yourself down. The world also offers tons of medications for every ailment from worrying, headaches, obesity, or even fatigue. What about at least trying a few of God's remedies first, like getting fit, seeking Him in daily meditation, or simplifying your life so you can get rid of some unnecessary worries?
Another short-cut that the world offers is cheating. If you're having problems in your marriage, find someone else, someone who's funnier and more romantic. Maybe you've heard the one about it being okay to cheat financially. It's okay to fib on your taxes or to pay less for something by doing funny math because you're in a bind after-all. But, the truth is, these short-cuts are actually problematic because they lead us farther away from the true answer, which is God. Remember not to trust in the idols and gods that the world offers you. They're hollow and dissatisfying, while God on the other hand is the real deal.
Another convicting verse is Leviticus 20:6. It's pretty blunt and you might not think it applies to you, but here goes. “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Maybe you haven't been committing "spiritual prostitution" but have you been putting your trust in someone else rather than in God? Maybe you've considered another religion even because this Christianity stuff just isn't working out. Though it is tempting to trust in other people and in other sources of spirituality, there is only one true Source; it is the God of the Bible.
2Chronicles 13:18 reminds us that when we trust in God, we defeat our foes. "So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors." If we seek the Lord, we will defeat our enemies, which includes life's injustices and all that other bad stuff. That's because God upholds His end of the bargain. When we're on His team, we always win. The results might not always evidence themselves on this side of heaven, but remember that God will bring everything into judgment, including the unfair things in this life. Stay on His team; the scoreboard will reflect a win by the end of the game.
What if you feel that your life is too far gone? Well, think again. Isaiah 50:10 is such a cool verse. It says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God." This verse offers a white flag of peace for your dark choices. Don't worry that you've messed up because we all have. Just get back on track by seeking Him. It's never too late. Don't let the darkness overtake you like a black-hole because there is hope.
One of my favorites, and probably one of yours as well, is Proverbs 3:5+6 which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We can try to figure it all out by ourselves or we can surrender it all to God instead. We have to trust Him again and again and again and again because He is trustworthy. He will direct our paths.
Remember to trust God even when you can't see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the answer yet. Here are some verses to help.
Genesis 49:18 says, "I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!" If we're sure we have our salvation from the Lord, all of the other requests sort of fall into place. We might need help with our finances, our marriage, our children, or a host of other concerns; however, if we're sure we're right with God, it eliminates the biggest worry of all. Make sure you've got that cleared up first before praying, and praying, and praying, and praying for all of the other stuff.
Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Here's the problem with living in the twenty-first century. The world offers us tons of short-cuts. If you're stressed, have a glass of wine, or two, or three... to calm yourself down. The world also offers tons of medications for every ailment from worrying, headaches, obesity, or even fatigue. What about at least trying a few of God's remedies first, like getting fit, seeking Him in daily meditation, or simplifying your life so you can get rid of some unnecessary worries?
Another short-cut that the world offers is cheating. If you're having problems in your marriage, find someone else, someone who's funnier and more romantic. Maybe you've heard the one about it being okay to cheat financially. It's okay to fib on your taxes or to pay less for something by doing funny math because you're in a bind after-all. But, the truth is, these short-cuts are actually problematic because they lead us farther away from the true answer, which is God. Remember not to trust in the idols and gods that the world offers you. They're hollow and dissatisfying, while God on the other hand is the real deal.
Another convicting verse is Leviticus 20:6. It's pretty blunt and you might not think it applies to you, but here goes. “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Maybe you haven't been committing "spiritual prostitution" but have you been putting your trust in someone else rather than in God? Maybe you've considered another religion even because this Christianity stuff just isn't working out. Though it is tempting to trust in other people and in other sources of spirituality, there is only one true Source; it is the God of the Bible.
2Chronicles 13:18 reminds us that when we trust in God, we defeat our foes. "So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors." If we seek the Lord, we will defeat our enemies, which includes life's injustices and all that other bad stuff. That's because God upholds His end of the bargain. When we're on His team, we always win. The results might not always evidence themselves on this side of heaven, but remember that God will bring everything into judgment, including the unfair things in this life. Stay on His team; the scoreboard will reflect a win by the end of the game.
What if you feel that your life is too far gone? Well, think again. Isaiah 50:10 is such a cool verse. It says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God." This verse offers a white flag of peace for your dark choices. Don't worry that you've messed up because we all have. Just get back on track by seeking Him. It's never too late. Don't let the darkness overtake you like a black-hole because there is hope.
One of my favorites, and probably one of yours as well, is Proverbs 3:5+6 which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We can try to figure it all out by ourselves or we can surrender it all to God instead. We have to trust Him again and again and again and again because He is trustworthy. He will direct our paths.
