Trust in the Lord

trust 

• verb
• definition: 
  1. to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of; believe in
  2. to place confidence in; depend on
  3. to hope or expect confidently

The Bible tells us to trust in the Lord. He is our rock and our redeemer, our strength and our confidence, the One who directs and guides our life. 

People around the world trust in lesser things, and every day those lesser things let people down. Material possessions will not satisfy your soul. Your investment portfolio may take a nosedive. People you care about deeply may turn their back on you. Government cannot meet your every need. 

Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart (v5). In this world, your heart and emotions will be pulled in so many directions. Do not make decisions based on what your heart tells you to do, but rather tether your heart to the heart of God and trust in him and his ways with all your heart. Through prayer, allow God’s Holy Spirit to fill and guide your heart. 

Trust in the Lord with all your mind (v5). Your thoughts are so important because thoughts lead to words and to actions. Even your best thoughts are limited and biased, so immerse yourself in the Word of God so that you are always thinking the thoughts of God. 

Trust in the Lord in all your ways (v6). A great question to ask when thinking about a decision big or small is to ask, “Is this the way of Christ?” How would Jesus handle this situation? What would he say and what would he do? How would he advise you? How would he carry out your tasks at your job, at home and everywhere you go?

For example, a Christian at his workplace may be asked to cut corners thereby cheating his customer. It may make his company a few more dollars, but it causes him to be dishonest in his dealings. This is clearly not the way of Christ. What if this employee is offered a bonus if he cheats his customers in this way? Should he do it? Certainly not. Rather, he should trust in the Lord in all his ways, even if that means not getting a bonus or even if it means losing a job for doing what is right. 

Trust in the Lord for your future (v6). The Lord knows where you have been, where you are now, and where you should go. Trust him for all of the details of your future. When you trust in him with all of your heart and do not rely on your own understanding, he will direct your paths, he will make your paths straight. He will lead you where he wants you to go. 

Trust in the Lord with all humility (v7). The Lord created you; you did not create him. He is eternally wise, holy and powerful. You and I should always approach the Lord with humility. We are grateful that through Jesus we can know the Lord as our Heavenly Father, even as a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but having that kind of close relationship with God should cause you and me to be grateful and humble, not arrogant or wise in our own eyes. 

Trust in the Lord to turn away from evil (v7). Our world is full of temptations. We are tempted by the world, the flesh and the devil. When we have a proper reverence, awe and fear of the Lord, we will recognize the danger of evil and temptations. When we love him with all of our heart and mind, in humility we will see that his ways are better than any other ways. Let us continually turn to him and turn away from evil. 

Trust in the Lord to know his strength in your life (v8). When you are healed, realize that it is the Lord who is at work, no matter whom he uses to help bring the healing (doctors, counselors, friends, family, yourself). When you have a broken bone, the doctor sets the bone but it is the Lord who heals your bones. When a relationship is broken, godly counsel can help to guide you on what to say and what to do, but it is truly God who heals relationships. So when you need strength and when you need healing, trust in the Lord to know his strength in your life.