Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5)
Sep - 6 by:zgbcradio | Weekly Devotionals 0 comment(s)
The word “trust” is a most important word in teh dictionary- It is a most important word in the Christian Vocabulary. When we think of the word “trust” in the Old Testament usage, it usually refers to the reverential trust which men of old placed in their great God if heaven in whom they trusted.
Psalm 22:4-5 says:-
“Our fathers trusted in thee, they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered, they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.”
The Concise Oxford dictionary defines “trust” as a firm belief in the reliability or truth or strength etc of a person or thing; a state of being relied on, a confident expectatiion; a thing or person committed to one’s care. It is like placing one’s money in a bank for safe-keeping.
Trust in the Lord, especially in the new testament and church age takes the meaning of committing one’s soul to God for salvation or being born again or have faith in or belief in (Acts 16:30-31). A songwriter puts it this way: “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling.”
The Greek word “ELPIZO” gives the meaning of expecting with pleasure.
The exhortation in Proverbs 3:5-6 says:-
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths.”
Firstly, we should examine the extent of our trust. We have a tendency not to go all the way in whatever our pursuits in life- we sometimes demonstrate the “tou-chaud-tou-flame” spirit or attitude*. Nothing done half-heartedly (i.e. one foot in, one foot out) brings reward. We must ensure that we go the whole way. Therefore it is imperative that we trust in the Lord with all our hearts.
Psalm 119:2 says ;-
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek Him with the while heart.”
The same principle is set forth in James 1:22-25:-
“But whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth in it, he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
We have looked at the area of trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (Acts 16:30-31); but we are exhorted that we must not trust or put our confidence in man. Psalm 118:8-9 says:
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.”
This portion of scripture is very applicable at this point in time of our country’s economic problems. See also Philippians 3:3 and Isaiah 26:3,4.
*Editor’s note: Attitude of great interest on the onset which quickly dies from lack of self-motivation-
Author Credit: Elder Matthew George, Gospel Mission Assemblies of Dominica
