In what do you have the most trust on any given day? We may be traveling down the road and just assume that everyone around us will obey the traffic laws, say on their side of the road and not come barreling through a stop sign or red light. Surely you have witnessed and remember an instance where this was not the case. On a coupe of occasions, I stopped at a 4-way intersection, and saw a vehicle go straight through without even slowing down for the stop sign. I may have been in the right to go through, but would likely have been hurt, or at least not able to drive my car after the collision. So, we most realize when laws and standards of a society are not being followed when they directly impact us, and we may not take them for granted as we once did. None of us like to have our safety and security compromised. Where do you turn when it is?
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Surely, there have been times in your life, where someone you trusted took advantage of that and used it to their own advantage. Hopefully, you have not responded to emails to claim an inheritance you were promised from a rich Nigerian benefactor, or any other scam messages or phone calls. You wonder how people can fall for such things, but you know that it would not be happening unless they had some success, even if it was 1 in 1,000 people. You may know someone who has had their credit card number used, their computer hacked, or their identity stolen. All these things and others can take a fair amount of work to rectify. When someone takes advantage of your trust, you usually end up more guarded and suspicious the next time, or more forgiving of others, which seems less often the case. Either extreme may not be good. When we trust no one, we end up isolated in a bunker with 2 years worth of bland rations and a defensive stance toward anyone that comes our way. When we blindly trust everyone, we will surely be taken advantage of many more times. Maybe there is another way?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Just look at those around you and you can see where they are putting their hope and trust. For many, it is in their finances. We assume that when we show up for work, we will still have a job and an ability to earn money for our family and ourselves. We try to accumulate what we can to ‘make a good living’, or at least feel like we are keeping up with everyone else. Here in the United States, even if we are in poverty, we have more than the majority of the rest of the world. Despite that, the rich and the poor alike are never satisfied and always want more, even if they have enough, so that they feel more secure. For some, it may even mean borrowing or stealing to maintain a certain lifestyle. How much is enough for you?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Regardless of what wealth, things, or status we can put our trust and security here in this world, there is a more secure place to put it. Just as we saw in Paris a week ago, something that took decades to build, can be gone in a matter of minutes. A lifetime of wealth can as easily disappear when attacked or mismanaged. It may not happen to everyone, but it is a reminder that these things around us, which we steward, are not as secure as we thought. When we put our trust in the Lord and live that out, the things in this world which we tend to hold too tightly at times, become less important. Even when we lose those people close to us, we are reminded that we can take nothing for granted. So, if you are trusting in the things around you for security, take a step back and invite God to be your foundation instead. Trust his Spirit in you to guide you in all things.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Yours in Christ,
Clark
