There has been a seismic shift in our country when it comes to trust. Recent studies reveal a dramatic decline in trust. We’ve become a cynical nation, a doubting nation. Customers don’t trust businesses; employees don’t trust their employers, and the majority of people don’t trust the news/media. In fact, a recent poll indicated that an overwhelming majority of people don’t trust the government, and the least trusted profession was politician. There’s only 1 letter difference between truth and trust. When there’s a truth deficit, trust fades. Who are you going to trust? When it comes to trust, people will fail you, some intentionally, others unintentionally, but when they fail you, trust is broken. One of the Ten Commandments is “Don’t make any idols.” Scripture repeatedly warns us not to create any idols or trust anything more than God. Why? Because anytime you trust anything or anyone more than God you will be disappointed.  

Scriptures – Hb 10:23; Pr 3:5-6; Je 29:11

Verse – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Pr 3:5-6

Thought – How do you trust in the Lord with all your heart? Trust is built! Trusting God has to do with building a relationship, in much the same way you build any relationship. Spending time reading God’s Word, praying, worshiping, serving, and sharing with other Christians are all ways to get to know God better. God is trustworthy, but you have to take a risk and find out for yourself. If you commit yourself to knowing Him, really knowing Him, you can and will learn how trustworthy He is. “Do not lean on your own understanding.” No matter how smart you are, how much life experience you have or how much you excelled in school, human intellect is limited, sometimes flawed, and even dead wrong. Add in the influence of feelings, emotions and desires, even with the best intentions your choices can be ill-advised and the outcomes destructive. You need more than your own limited understanding; you need God’s wisdom and guidance, which God gives through His word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” Some is not all. All is all. In whatever area of your life that you decide to box God out and manage things your own way, it will be a decision for disappointment. When you allow God to be part of every area of your life, “he will make your paths straight.” No, that doesn’t mean everything will be rosy and simple, but it means he will give your life purpose, meaning and focus. He will guide you toward inner peace and satisfaction and the abundant life Jesus promised his followers. If God isn’t trustworthy, you can always bail out!

Questions – In what area is it difficult for you to trust the Lord with all your heart? Who or what do you tend to trust in this area? Why? In what area do you easily trust the Lord with all your heart? Why? Why are some areas more difficult than others? Share a situation that you now look back on and are thankful you trusted the Lord. How do you move beyond making decisions based on your “own understanding”?

Response – Consider one area of your life where you know you aren’t giving it all to God. Pray and decide how you will begin to release it and trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your faithfulness and trustworthiness day by day as I walk with You. Help me to give control to you in each and every situation, knowing that you always have a plan that is best for me. Forgive me when I try to hold on to control and remind me that you have never failed me and that letting go is the path to peace. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.