Trusting God

God’s Provision

Ken

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:10 KJV). All of God’s children must find their lack to be supplied by God, or trust something else to provide for our existence. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (20:7). Whom we trust must be able to fulfill all our needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

We are more than animals in God’s creation. Survival of the fittest discounts God as our Creator and Sustainer. Our failure results when we trust the flesh and not the Spirit. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Though we have the agency to obey and do all that is commanded of us, we must not trust in our flesh to accomplish God’s will. We must continually seek God’s Spirit to function within us to fulfill all the will of God. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (5:25). 

Father, cause us to trust in You for all our provision. May we keep our eyes on Jesus, so we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Cause us to walk in Your Spirit until You come for us. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Trusting God Fights Paranoia

Ken

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). The absolute standard for trust is “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Unwavering trust in God keeps us from being unsettled by humanity’s fickleness. If God can be unreservedly trusted, then humanity’s often untrustworthiness would not be surprising. In fact, when humanity does the admirable in not seeking its own at the expense of others, it can only be because God made it so. Of course, praise should also be given to man, when it is praiseworthy. The opposite of paranoia is when we can see God successfully working in a human heart to do the acceptable and right thing. If this is never possible, “we are of all men most miserable” (1Corinthians 15:19). Faith in God breeds hope, which “maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). The cynical, “In God We Trust, All Others Cash,” sign at the store checkout needs to be balanced in our hearts “With God All Things Are Possible” (Matthew 19:26). Give God the chance to change even the cynical human heart. Father, make it so. In Jesus name, amen.

Thou Maintainest My Lot

Ken

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot” (Psalm 16:5 KJV). To the OT Jew, each of the twelve tribes had been apportioned a “lot,” an area of Israel for their inheritance, except the Tribe of Levi, which was scattered throughout the cities of Israel. They were to maintain worship for Jehovah. To Levi, the LORD proclaimed, “I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel” (Numbers 18:20). Instead of land, Levi was to be supported with the tithes brought into the Tabernacle. “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation” (18:21). The certainty of the LORD’s sustenance, a guaranteed income — “Thou maintainest my lot” — when compared to Levi, is what any child of God can expect from the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23). But, that income is by faith and only from God.

A Prayer of  David:

“LORD, You give me stability and prosperity; You make my future secure” (Psalm 16:5 NET). 

“It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land” (Psalm 16:6 NET).

“I will praise the LORD who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn” (Psalm 16:7 NET). 

“I constantly trust in the LORD; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 NET). 

“So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe” (Psalm 16:9 NET). 

“You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit” (Psalm 16:10 NET). 

“You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in Your presence; You always give me sheer delight” (Psalm 16:11 NET). 

What to Do When No One Knows What to Do

Ken

“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 KJV). We need to be trusting God now, whether or not it ever becomes popular later! The difference between trusting God now and when everything is an emergency is the reason we are to always be ready for the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ and our being caught up to Him. You cannot counterfeit confidence to God. He knows when you are trusting Him. Either you trust Him or you don’t. Pretend you are going into battle, and you want to be right with God for whatever happens in the conflict. Trust is an instantaneous thing. Only the Spirit of God can give you that. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Trusting God means we do not hold back on confessing known sin to God. Even the thief on the cross acknowledged his worthiness of condemnation. “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss” (Luke 23:40-41). 

Readiness to meet God in eternity took place for that thief, when “he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43 ). Let us “commit the keeping of [our] souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1Peter 4:19). When this is done, all is well done! Father, alert Your Professed Church to the need of fully trusting in You now, like eternity depended on it. Lord Jesus, return quickly, and may our departure have the desired effect to fulfill all righteousness. Cause our lives to be a testimony to those who will be immediately wrestling with the one who will be the Antichrist. “9 Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2Thessalonians 2:9-10). LORD, prepare us, as we lift up our heads for our redemptions draws near. Amen and amen. 

Center of the Will of God

Ken

Standing in the center of the will of God is not an illusion. Epaphras prayed for the Colossians, “That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12 KJV). “Perfect and complete in all the will of God” (4:12) is not man’s standards, for humanity will always be “accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:15). God alone can declare us “perfect and complete” (Colossians 4:12) in the center of the will of God. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Only the Spirit of the Living God can cause us to be in the center of the will of God. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Obedience is not simply deciding to do right, and doing it. Obedience is understanding and purposing to do right, then seeking and trusting the Spirit of God in making us do right, as we actually obey. Meditate on it. LORD, we can of our own self do nothing; and, through Your Spirit, we can do all things. Make us to know and trust You for everything. May You be magnified in all things. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

When We Sense We Have the Least Control

Ken

When we sense we have the least control, then He has the most control. So, we should set out to behave irresponsibly? Take no precautions? Not give due diligence? Absolutely not! We are to give our utmost to Him whenever we can, wherever we can. He accepts no less! But, He cannot receive the glory due Him, if we really felt the credit was due us. Not to worry! If we don’t already have it in our mind that the credit is only His, He will allow something to trip up our timing, so we are no longer in control. Sound familiar? “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2Chronicles 20:12 KJV). LORD, do for us what You have done for Your people time after time. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Analysis: Fear — the Bad and the Good

Ken

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1 KJV). 62 times in the KJV, we are told to “fear not.” Fear is an emotion capable of causing great harm in humans. Our physical body can be so greatly impacted by fear, it can cause death, as witnessed by Nabal, when he found that David was coming to slay him but was intercepted and prevented by Abigail’s wise actions. Nabal’s “heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died” (1Samuel 25:37-38). Fear of God, by comparison, is a right relationship with Him, who is the source of life and the only means of escaping death. “Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13). Fear of God is the positive emotion of trusting Him who is worthy of our trust. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). 

Cure for Fear

Ken

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3 KJV). Better than whistling a happy tune, because the One we trust is greater than anything that can harm us. David didn’t stop there, but went on. “In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (56:4). In God We Trust may only sound like an advertising slogan minted on coins, but true confidence in God is deceptively powerful. Faith is so effective an antidote for fear, the enemy mocks and trivializes it in hope the godly will be lulled into a false sense of “maybe this is too simple to work.” Exactly. Because it is not about us, but about whom we are trusting. Almighty God. “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14). 

Anxious for Nothing

Ken

“Be careful [Greek, merimnaō, anxious] for nothing” (Philippians 4:6 KJV) means we shouldn’t worry about anything. It’s practically impossible not to worry, unless we’re really persuaded God is listening to our prayers. “But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). We ask and petition God with gratitude concerning whatever is on our mind. Not only does He supply our needs, but it fortifies our faith, when we are doing whatever we can cooperating with God. What a wonderful exchange! “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 KJV). And, God is always giving more than we know to ask (Ephesians 3:20)!