TRUST IN THE LORD
By John C. Carpenter
 
King Solomon wrote, 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 (Proverbs 3:5-7). What does it mean to trust in the Lord, and how do we do that?
 
In verse 5 above, the wordtrust is translated from the Hebrew word batach, which means to be confident in, be sure of, to feel or be secure, make to hope, or put trust in. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines trust as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. Trust can also mean to willingly commit or place in one's care or keeping.
 
Solomon teaches that we are to have confidence in and hope in the Lord with all our feeliings and understanding, we are to not rely on or lean on our own wisdom, cunning, knowledge, discernment abilities, or skills, we are to observe, recognize, and receive instruction from the Lord only, and He shall make right, prosperous, and pleasing our own life. Neither are we to use or rely upon our own worldly intelligence, knowledge, skills, and abilities. We are to morally revere and respect the Lord God, and decline, eschew, leave, turn aside from, and rebel against adversity, wickedness, wrong, as well as anything else that displeases the Lord.
 
In this evil world, we encounter daily many evils, many evil people, and many evil circumstances. It is a sick world we live in, and most of us know it. As a result, many of us from time to time feel fearful, anxious, worried, depressed, confused, and angry. We often feel as if we are all alone, weak, hopeless, and helpless in the big, bad world, and we have no one to rely on for support and help. We don't know who or what can be trusted. With great encouragement, the scriptures teach us that we can and do have help from the One who is loving, all knowing and all powerful; that is, from the Lord God Himself. He can be trusted, but we must seek Him with our whole heart.
 
REASONS WHY WE CAN AND SHOULD TRUST THE LORD
 
When talking about trusting in the Lord, some may ask why they should do that, and how do I know that God can really be trusted. They say, I prayed to and trusted in the Lord in the past, I asked for His help, and He did not answer me or help me. Therefore, many conclude that God the Father cannot be trusted. The truth is that, in most cases of mistrusting God, the problem is that when we prayed and asked for His help, He did not answer our prayers or meet our needs in the timing or the way that we wanted or expected. He answered in His own way and timing. As we shall see, the scriptures teach over and over again that God the Father can be trusted. In fact, the scriptures list so many reasons why we can and should trust our heavenly Father, it is not possible to list them all. However, in this article, let us identify some of the main reasons why we can trust in the Lord.
 
First of all, one great reason to trust in the Lord is that the scriptures teach that God is all powerful and full of explosive power. We can ask, why would anyone not trust one who is all powerful as well? Knowing about the Lord's incomprehensible power and might, the prophet, Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, wrote, The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). The Lord Himself, declares, Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27). Jeremiah also understood that God was all powerful, could do anything, and nothing was too difficult for Him when he prayed, Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee (Jeremiah 32:17). Saint Luke taught For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37), while the apostle Paul referred to the exceeding greatness [Greek, megethos, magnitude, large, mighty]of his power [Greek, dunamis, force, miraculous power, ability, worker of miracles, or strength] to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty [Greek, kratos, vigor, dominion, strength, or forcefulness] power (Ephesians 1:19). The psalmist tells us, Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great [Hebrew, gadol, exceeding, great man, high, mighty, much more, or noble] is our Lord, and of great [Hebrew, rab, abundant, exceeding, increase, plenteous] power [Hebrew, koach, be firm, vigor, means, ability, force, power, substance, or wealth]: his understanding is infinite (Psalms 147:1-5).
 
The psalmist also refers to the omnipotence of the Lord with these words: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORDis thy keeper [Hebrew, shamar, to hedge about or around, to guard, to protect, attend to, observe, preserve, or regard highly]: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve [Hebrew,shamar, to hedge about or around, to guard, to protect, attend to, observe, preserve, or regard highly] thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore (Psalms 121:2-8). The Lord is our keeper and preserver. He can be trusted. Simply ask Him for His help, and in His own time and way, He can and will help us.
 
Another reason that we should trust the Lord is that He is all knowing, and His understanding is infinite He knows everything about everything - His comprehension and knowledge is unlimited, indescribable and incomparable. The psalmist, David, explained, O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it (Psalms 139:1-6). Knowing of God's infinite understanding, the psalmist exhorts us, Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great [Hebrew, gadol, exceeding, great man, high, mighty, much more, or noble] is our Lord, and of great [Hebrew, rab, abundant, exceeding, increase, plenteous] power [Hebrew, koach, be firm, vigor, means, ability, force, power, substance, or wealth]: his understanding [Hebrew, tabun, intelligence, discretion, reason, skill, or wisdom] is infinite [Hebrew,ayin, exceptional, unsearchable, innumerable, abundant, or without fail] (Psalms 147:1-5). The apostle John tells us of a conversation that took place between Simon, son of Jonas, and Jesus: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things [Greek, pas, all, any, everything, the whole, every one, throughly, or the whole]; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17). John also knew the omniscience of God: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth [Greek, ginosko, be aware of, have knowledge of, perceive, be sure, or understand] all things [ Greek, pas, all, any, everything, the whole, every one, throughly, or the whole (1 John 3:18-20). Jesus, Himself, even says that your [heavenly] Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him (Matthew 6:8). Lastly, the apostle Paul clearly understood the omniscience of God when he wrote these words to the saints in Rome: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who [what human] hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:34). Of course, the answer Paul is teaching here, is that no human being can know and understand the mind of the Lord, or has ever been or ever can be His counsellor.
 
Holy Scriptures also teach us that God can be trusted because God is faithful. Isaiah prophesied,O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness [Hebrew,emunah, firmness, security, moral fidelity, stability]and truth (Isaiah 25:1). Referring to the nation of Israel, Moses wrote of God's faithfulness: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful [Hebrew, aman, promotes assurance, believe, established, stedfast, trusty, or put trust in] God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:6-9). Paul wrote about God's faithfulness to the church in Corinth: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful [Greek, pistos, trustworthy, believable, sure, or true], by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:4-9). The apostle Paul also knew of God's faithfulness when he wrote the church in Corinth: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:4-9). To the church in Thessalonica Paul also wrote, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful [Greek, pistos, trustworthy, believable, sure, or true], who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence [Greek, peitho, convinced, agree, believe, be content, consider a friend, are persuaded, or trust] in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you (2 Thessalonians 3:1-4). David, the psalmist, referred to God's mercy and faithfulness when he prayed, Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds (Psalms 36:5). Lastly, also in the psalms, we are reminded of God's faithfulness: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound (Psalms 92:1-3), and Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth (Psalms 119:90). God the Father is faithful: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13). In Lamentations, Jeremiah wrote, It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).Also, scriptures tell us that God knows everything about us. David prayed, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it (Psalms 139:2-6).
 
Scriptures list many other reasons why God can be trusted. They teach us that God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), He gives wisdom (James 1:5), God is ever present (Isa 41:10), He will slay the wicked on our behalf (Psalms 139:19), God is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28), He loves us (Rom 5:8), He is our refuge (Psalms 46:1), He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5), He is just (Psalms 9:8), and God is always with us (Deut 31:6). God also shall direct our paths, as Solomon tells us: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 (Proverbs 3:5-6). God is our source of courage (Joshua 1:9), God cares for His creation, including and especially we humans (Matt 6:26-27), and God is our safe place (Psalms 62:8). God is also trustworthy because He reassures troubled hearts (John 14:1), and He instructs us to trust in Him when we are afraid (Psalms 56:3-4). We also know that we can trust God because when we ask according to His will, He hears us, and gives us according to His will what we ask for: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:14-15). Through the prophet Isaiah, God comforts us that when we keep our mind and focus on God, He will be our peace and our strength: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3-4). Additionally, we can trust the Lord because the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever (2 Timothy 4:18).
 
Holy scriptures also teach us that we should trust in the Lord only, and that we should not trust in ourselves, other people, rulers, or things. Regarding his own suffering, which caused him to despair even of life, the apostle Paul explained that he did not put his trust in himself or others: For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).
 
Scriptures even specifically warn us to not trust in our own efforts and righteousness for salvation (Luke 18:9), not to trust in things (Psalms 20:7). Neither are we to trust in man, or in rulers: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes (Psalms 118:8-9). God the Father spoke through Ezekiel, When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it (Ezekiel 33:13), and King Solomon bluntly warned, He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered (Proverbs 28:26).
 
And clearly, we are certainly not to trust in what we consider to be our own beauty, brightness, talents, or abilities. With heartfelt disappointment, the Lord chastened Jerusalem and Israel: thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD. But thou didst trust [Hebrew, batach, be sure of, be bold, careless, put confidence in, make to hope, make to trust in] in thine own beauty [Hebrew, yophiy, beauty, brightness, fairness], and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was (Ezekiel 16:14-15). The aposle Paul clearly taught believers in Rome to not place trust in themselves, that is, in their own talents, strengths, potential, and abilities. Paul exhorted,For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of [and trust in] himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
 
TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES
 
Because God can be trusted, the scriptures, throughout, teach us that we can and should seek the Lord, God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit at all times. We are consistently encouraged to seek Him out. For example, the scriptures direct and encourage us, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We should have no hesitancy or fear in approaching Him - seek Him today for your needs. Also, God has promised to never leave us: let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
 
Jesus also instructs us, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29). The psalmist prays, He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalms 91:1-2). David certainly and clearly exhorts us to trust in God at all times and under all circumstances: In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us (Psalms 62:8).
 
With great comfort to us, God said through the prophet Jeremiah, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). The Lord has plans for us, and intends to give us the end He expects, one of peace. Speaking of God's plans for us as well, Paul wrote the church in Corinth, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
 
THE FRUIT OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD
 
As taught in the scriptures, there is no doubt God can be trusted, but many of us will probably ask, “If I trust in the Lord, what will be the fruit of trusting Him?; that is, what will I get out of having a trusting relationship with the Lord and depending upon Him?” Most of us would like to know the answer to that question. Even Christ's own disciples questioned the Lord about what they would receive for giving up everything, trusting Him, and following Him: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have [trusted thee and] forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matthew 19:27-29). Trust and following Christ bears the fruit of blessings in this life, followed by eternal life. The psalmist taught the value of completely depending upon and trusting in the Lord: The righteous shall flourish [Hebrew, parach, to break forth, bloom, spread, or experience abundance, grow, spring up, or bud forth] like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat [Hebrew, dashen, become fat, become accepted, become anointed, rich, fertile] and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him (Psalms 92:12-15).
 
Also teaching that he who trusts in the Lord shall be blessed, Jeremiah adds, Blessed [Hebrew, barak, abundantly, congratulate, great, kneel down, praise, or thankful] is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8). To be blessed is to experience abundance and greatness from the Lord.
 
Trusting in God also results in deliverance and preservation:And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever (2 Timothy 4:18). When we seek the Lord in our needs, He also gives us the victory. The psalmist taught, I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them (Psalms 118:5-10).
 
Trusting in God will also bring His mercy into play. The psalmist, David, prayed, Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy [Hebrew, chesed, kindness, favour, merciful, to have pity] shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart (Psalms 32:7-11).
 
Scriptures also instruct us that we can and should trust in the Lord when we are afraid. The psalmist tells us, Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me (Psalms 56:2-4,11). When we trust in God's strength, and not our own, the victory will eventually be ours. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust (Isaiah 26:4-5).
 
David warns us that, in the day of trouble, trusting solely in military power and might is a mistake. David writes,The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name [Hebrew, shem, position, loftyness, memorial of individuality, honor, authority, character, and renown] of the LORD [Hebrew, yehovah, self existent or eternal, and the Jewish national name of the Lord] our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call(Psalms 20:1-9).
 
We can, and should, trust God for another major reason – He is a rewarder of those who seek and trust Him: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Christ encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, and according to His divine will, He shall answer: And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:8-13).
 
God should also be trusted because He shall help us with our needs. Paul said, my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). When we seek and trust in the Lord, neither will He forsake us. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee (Psalms 9:10). Knowing the trustworthiness of God, David heartily prayed and trusted, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies (Psalms 18:2-3).
 
The psalmist also instructs us, Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed [Hebrew,raah, be pastured, be allowed to graze, associate with as a friend, have a companion, be shepherded]. When we trust in God, He will also give us the desires of our heart: 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 (Psalms 37:3-5). The prophet Jeremiah adds that the man who trusts in God shall be fruitful in all things (Jer 17:5-8).
 
Solomon teaches that he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat [Hebrew, dashen, anoint, satisfy, accept] (Proverbs 28:25), and will have safety and security (Prov 29:25). Trusting in God also brings great blessing, as the psalmist explains: Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies (Psalms 40:4). Happiness is also the fruit of trusting God: He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [Hebrew, esher, blessed, happy, straight, level, honest, prosperous] is he (Proverbs 16:20).
 
Want to be delivered from the things that you need deliverance from? Trust in the Lord. Solomon strengthens us with these words: I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:13-15). I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place [Hebrew, merchab, enlargment, to place in an open space in a good sense, provide liberty, to broaden]. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man (Psalms 118:5-8). When we trust in the Lord, we can call upon the Lord in our distress, the Lord shall answer, enlarge us and bring us liberty and victory.
 
As we see in our subject verses, when we trust in God, and not our own understanding, He will also direct our lives. As Solomon taught, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge [Hebrew, yada, to know by seeing, to observe, to recognize, to receive instruction from] him, and he shall direct [Hebrew, yashar, to make straight or even, to make right, pleasant or prosperous, cause to be upright]thy paths [Hebrew, orach, manner, path, race, travel, highway, or figuratively, our lives] (Proverbs 3:5-6). Also, a good man or woman who trusts in the Lord shall never waver or veer off course, shall not fear evil, and his heart will be set aright: A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved [Hebrew, mot, to waver, to slip, shake or fall, become out of course, fall in decay, fall down, slide, or slip] for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.He shall not be afraid of evil [Hebrew, raah, bad, adversity, hurtful, mischief, trouble, wretched, or wrong] tidings: his heart is fixed [Hebrew, kun, be appointed, be sure, confirm, be fitted or fixed, ordained, perfect, set aright, or established], trusting in the LORD (Psalms 112:5-7).
 
David exhorts us, 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. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday (Psalms 37:3-6). The psalmist explains that he who trusts in the Lord and does good shall dwell in the land, shall be fed by the Lord, shall be given the desires of his heart, and God shall bring forth his righteousness.
 
When we trust in the Lord He will cause all things to work together for our good. He has called us, predestinated us, justified us, and, in His timing, will glorify us. As Paul taught,we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).
 
And, lastly, trusting in the Lord results in the greatest blessing of all: eternal life with the One we trusted. John, the apostle, wrote, this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in hisSon [in whom we trusted]. He that hath [and trusts in] the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1 John 5:12).  AMEN.


 
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THE CHRISTIAN  HERALD
                    A Judeo-Christian Bible Study
 
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [found by God not guilty, innocent] by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by his life”
(Romans 5:8-10).
 
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”
(Ephesians 2:8-10).
 
 
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life"
(Romans 5:8-10).
 
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The
LORD make his
face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift
up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace”
(Numbers 6:24-26).
 
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled”
(1 Peter 3:12-14).
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