Hebrews 11:1 is probably the most succinct definition of faith found in the Bible. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The Amplified Bible expands. “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
”The definition of trust is remarkably similar. Trust is the confident expectation of something, or confidence in the certainty of the future fulfillment of something. Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength and ability of a person or thing. Trust and faith go hand in hand. In difficult times, financial struggles,or health problems, it is not always easy to trust, but God has proven to be trustworthy over time on countless occasions. Once one realizes that God can be trusted, it becomes easier to trust Him again and again.
Proverbs 3:5-6 give God's guidance for life:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. These words challenge believers to put more confidence in God's ability than in their own, to not try to analyze and figure out every detail themselves, but to place their belief in God's wisdom, love and strength, to lean on God instead of relying on themselves or anyone else.
C. S. Lewis wrote, “To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way.”
God makes the distinction between the heart and the mind. There is nothing wrong with using one's mind, and this verse is not telling you to stop thinking. But some situations are complex and cannot be successfully understood and still make sense. Rather than making foolish and perhaps risky decisions and leaping off a precipice into a chasm of catastrophe, it's much better to trust God. God is the One with foreknowledge. Proverbs 3:7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Romans 12:16 rephrases this.“Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.” (Amplified Bible) God is all-knowing, all-powerful and everywhere-present. He is tried, true and trustworthy.
In His Grip,
Pastor J
