What, me worry?

Today, we're going to look at Proverbs 3; 5,6 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. How many of us struggle with the issue of trust? Its something that mankind has been struggling with since creation, and always will. So how do we deal with the subject of trusting God?

It's one thing for people to trust God with their eternal destiny, but it's another for them to trust God to handle the challenges of daily life. Today's verses encourage God's people to trust Him with all their hearts, and acknowledge Him in all their ways. When we do this, He promises to direct, or straighten, our paths. We need to trust God to help us handle the tough situations we face, even in cases where we can't even begin to see how He could. Also, trusting the Lord means to trust Him in all areas. If we really want to know God's will in our lives, or even for our actions in a certain situation, we have to begin by trusting that God cares about every part of living, and that He'll provide what we need. Without trust in God, our faith is talk. Having said that, let's take a look at someone who was just like us. He questioned God just like we do, but just like us, God answered him with wisdom beyond his understanding.

One of the greatest examples of human faith and trust can be found in the Book of Habakkuk, Chapter 2. When I was in Seminary, I remember having to write a paper on this Prophet that was longer than the book itself. As I started to research and translate this great book, I realized what an example of faith and endurance he really was. Habakkuk, God's prophet, preached trust during a time of turmoil. Judah was facing an invasion from the Babylonians, who had taken Nineveh, the captial of Assyria. Judah's days were numbered, because God would use the Babylonians to conquer His people and punish then for straying from Him. Habakkuk wanted to know why: "Why do you look on those who deal treacherously, and hold your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?" (Hab 1:13). Does this question sound familiar? Habakkuk askes the question that the whole nation was thinking, and then waited for God to answer: "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me." (Hab 2:1)

God answered His prophet by explaining that even though He was using the Babylonians to punish Judah, the Babylonians wouldn't even know that they were being used as pawns by God. Babylon's pride and power would wind up being it's downfall. God told Habkkuk to be patient. In the end, He would make everything right. Take the time today to read this great story of trust and faith. Not only will you be able to relate to it, but you'll be able to learn from it by example.

We need to trust God completely, even in the face of adversity. Sure, we question God just like Habakkuk did, but when we go beyond doubt and put our trust in the Lord without question, then we see faith in action. Trust is believing without seeing. Habakkuk said, "the just shall live by his faith." (Hab 2:4). When we trust in our trustworthy God, we don't need to know why, we only need to know Him.

Be blessed today, and trust God to make your paths right.







In the love of Christ,
Pastor Mike