Trust: A Trustworthy Man

While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, Come in, for you are a trustworthy man and bring good news. 1 Kings 1:42 (AMP)

King David was aging and many were wondering who he'd name as his successor to the Throne. 

Adonijah, a son of King David, thought for sure he'd be king. In fact, he was so assured, that he called all his friends together, had a big party and declared himself king! 

So picture this. Adonijah is surrounded by all his friends as they celebrate that he is now king. And then enters Jonathan with some news. 

At parties, we all expect great and good news. It's a happy occasion! Time to celebrate! So, when Adonijah hears Jonathan has come with news, he invited Jonathan in to share in the excitement. Notice what Adonijah says about Jonathan.... "you are a trustworthy man". That is key here. 

Jonathan didn't have to tell Adonijah the news. Jonathan could have made up something else to tell Adonijah. Yet, Jonathan was a trustworthy man. Jonathan knew that Adonijah needed to hear the news—no matter what it was. 

Adonijah is waiting to hear great news ... Jonathan replied, Adonijah, truly our lord King David has made Solomon king! (1 Kings 1:43)

Upon hearing the news the mood at the party changes. The party goers disperse very quickly and Adonijah, fears for his life. 

"You are a trustworthy man." Adonijah, didn't like what he heard, but he knew it came from a reliable source. 

A trustworthy man. One who speaks the truth even when it's difficult. One who has a reputation for honesty. A trustworthy man. 

That's a great testimony of Jonathan—a trustworthy man. Even in a difficult situation, Jonathan remained trustworthy. Being trustworthy does not change based on any given situation. Nor does it change because it's "hard". Remaining trustworthy is the right thing—24/7. 

Being trustworthy is easier when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). A true reverence and respect for God is where trustworthiness begins. 

Trust: Fact. Question.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31 (AMP)

When looking to put your trust in someone what are the qualifications? 

1. Who are they? 

2. What is their track record? 

Looking at 2 Samuel 22, we learn first of all that God is GOD! That alone makes Him trustworthy. Secondly, we learn that God's word has been tested, and proven true. That makes Him trustworthy. And because He is trustworthy—He can be trusted! And when trust is placed in God, there is safety and assurance that God is in control and working things out for His glory and honor. 

Fact: God is trustworthy. 

Question: I'm I willing to trust God that His way is REALLY perfect? 

It's easy to say "I trust You, God." It's another thing to actually put my agenda aside and trust that God, indeed knows what is best. 

Looking back over the past 6 months, I had some great lessons in trusting God, as I looked for a home. If I had given up on God's direction and chose a home on my own, I would not have ended up at the Castle. Each home we looked at, seemed at that moment in time to be the BEST. However, as God worked in my heart and continued to teach me and lead me, and I was willing to TRUST Him, God then led me to the VERY BEST—HIS BEST. Each day, I continue to thank God for the King of king's Castle. He has supplied a home that is perfect for my needs. I'm very grateful. 

So, does that mean that since I'm now living in the Castle, that I stop trusting God? I can now "do it on my own"? The answer of course is, "no". However, I have to continue to learn to trust God, and not try to do it on my own. 

God is trustworthy simply because He is GOD! And He has proven Himself trustworthy. I only have to trust Him. And trusting God is easier when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

To learn about the journey to the Castle start here:

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Did NOT... Do/did

Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you]...

Deut. 28:47 (AMP)

Such as sad testimony..... "you did NOT".. and the consequences that were the result of that lack of action... Wow. 

Such a great goal..... Serve the Lord my God—

—with JOYFULNESS of mind and heart

—in GRATITUDE for the ABUNDANCE of all that HE has blessed me. 

My prayer is that I'll strive to achieve the goal of "do/did" rather than be known by the "did not".

Trust = Do What is Asked

Trust = Do What is Asked

Yet in spite of this word you did not believe (trust, rely on, and remain steadfast to) the Lord your God, Deuteronomy 1:32 (AMP)

Likewise when the Lord sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you, then you rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God, and you did not believe Him or trust and rely on Him or obey His voice. Deuteronomy 9:23 (AMP)

Trust is followed by obedience. Distrust is followed by disobedience. That's an easy concept to understand. Trust = do what is asked. Distrust = rebel, and do it on your own. 

Easy to understand. However, sadly, it can be hard to actually apply. The Israelites had seen time and time again God's miraculous care and provision, yet they still did not trust Him. Why the distrust? Because they figured that their circumstances were bigger and more difficult than God could even handle. They forgot WHO God was! 

Trust is not based on just what someone does, it's based on WHO they are. It's sad when I choose to look at my circumstances and tell God, "Sorry, but You can't handle this. This situation is just too difficult for You. Therefore, I'm not going to trust you to take care of it, I'll figure out a way for me to handle it—myself." 

The MOMENT I change my trust from GOD to MYSELF—I'm in BIG TROUBLE! The Israelites had seen miracle after miracle, yet they continued to forget WHO God was! Each time a problem arose, their first reaction was to complain and worry and fret. They should have instead, stopped and REMEMBERED what God did when they faced the last problem. Short-sighted for sure. 

If I trust God, then I'll obey Him and respect Him—no matter the circumstance, no matter the difficulty, and no matter the surmounting task at hand. If I make the decision to distrust God and do it on my own—then I have to live with those consequences. And those consequences will be that of my own choosing—often void of God's blessings. 

How do I make sure that I'm not short-sighted and that I continue to trust God and not be overwhelmed by my circumstances? It all begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God! For when I respect and honor God, I'll trust Him! My trust needs to be placed in God—not myself. And that respect and trust in God will then lead to obedience and doing His will. 

Trust: Proven Trustworthy

And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people provoke (spurn, despise) Me? And how long will it be before they believe Me [trusting in, relying on, clinging to Me], for all the signs which I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11 (AMP)

The Israelites had been walking through the desert toward the promise land. They arrived at Canann. The spies went in to check it out, and returned with their report. Most said, "The land is awesome! But there is no way we can fight those that live there. They are just too strong and powerful for us." Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, said, "God said He'd give it to us, let's go get it!" 

The people rather than TRUST in all that God had proven He could do, relied on what only they, themselves could do. 

God had proven Himself to be trustworthy. He did what He said He would do. He took care of His people at the right time, even in the midst of their complaining and disobedience. God said it, all the Israelites had to do was TRUST that He'd do what He said. 

Trustworthy. God is trustworthy. That means when I don't understand what or why He is doing something, I have to stop and remember all that He did, and that He is One who always keeps His word! God is trustworthy. 

Trustworthy. We only know if someone is trustworthy by what they've done. However, with God, we know that He is not only trustworthy for ALL that He has done, but because of WHO He is! 

God is faithful. God is honest. God does not lie. God is God Almighty! 

Too often I, like the Israelites, forget Who I am placing my trust in—God Almighty! Rather, I look around and see the impossible situations—at least impossible based on my abilities. If I know someone is trustworthy, and they have proven themselves trustworthy time and time again, then I need to continue trusting. Sadly, it's too easy to get caught up with the impossibilities, instead of trusting in someone else. And the impossibilities are based on what I CAN DO—not on the one I am to be trusting to do it. 

Only, when I stop trusting in myself, and put my trust in the One who is trustworthy to accomplish all He says He will do, can I fully enjoy the journey and end results. And I will only be able to fully trust God when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Trust Based on Sight

And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did against the Egyptians, and the people [reverently] feared the Lord and trusted in (relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord and to His servant Moses. Exodus 14:31 (AMP)

The Israelites had just been led out of Egypt and WALKED across the dry land of the Red Sea. God had miraculously delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians. Exodus 14:31 is the response as they looked back at the Red Sea, and the dead Egyptians. They were now delivered. 

They SAW the GREAT WORK the did. And their response was REVERENT fear and TRUST in the Lord. 

There is something being said for SEEING and then trusting. That can be good as recognizing what God has done is very appropriate and it should be seen, recognized, and remembered. However, if trust is BASED on sight, then trust can be short lived. 

We see that with the Israelites. For in Chapter 15, three days into their wilderness journey, they could not find water, so the murmuring and complaining  started and DISTRUST set in among the Israelites. 3 Days into their journey..... (Exodus 15:22).... and they forgot what GREAT WORK the Lord had done. 

Trust based on sight is short-lived for as the scenery changes often the trust is misplaced as well. Trust is not to be based on WHAT as been done, but rather WHO is involved in the doing. Trust based on sight, is too often blurred by our doubts, our anxiety, our circumstances. Trust based IN God Almighty is steadfast, for He does NOT CHANGE! He is not only worthy of trust, He has proven Himself faithful for generations, and He is the One who knows what the future holds. 

Trust based on sight is not true trust. Rather it is short-sighted trust, based on ME and what I can see or have seen. And since my sight is limited to only what effects me, or the present, I do not get the big picture of what God is doing. 

Seeing what God has done and giving Him honor for it, is the respectable thing to do. Recognizing all that God has done is part of having a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). However, if I truly have a deep sense of reverence for God, then my trust will NOT be based on sight, rather my trust will be PLACED in GOD—period.  When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, my trust will not be short-sighted.