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. 

Confidence

“Would you mind if I said something to you?

    Under the circumstances it’s hard to keep quiet.

You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words

    that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit.

Your words have put stumbling people on their feet,

    put fresh hope in people about to collapse.

But now you’re the one in trouble—you’re hurting!

    You’ve been hit hard and you’re reeling from the blow.

But shouldn’t your devout life give you confidence now?

    Shouldn’t your exemplary life give you hope?

Job 4:1-6 (MSG)

As I read these verses this morning, the concept that stood out was, "Where do I put my confidence?" Is my confidence in the life I've lived? Or is my confidence and hope placed in God Almighty?

So, often it's easy to say, see what I HAVE DONE, look at the GOOD I've done, etc. However, based upon God Almighty, my good falls short. It's not about what I HAVE DONE, but rather, what has GOD DONE in and through me? I need to make sure I'm not basing my confidence in me.

I can however, look back and see all that God has done through me and for me. I can take joy that "God did it once, He can do it again!" No matter the situation or circumstances, my confidence should be in God and God alone. For when my confidence is in God Almighty it's easy to create a positive day! 

My Personal ‘Need-Meeter’

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 121. Here is what I learned.

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 (AMP)

The Eternal Creator of heaven and earth and these mountains will send the help I need. Psalm 121:2 (VOICE)

My help. I’ve mentioned it before... I tend to have a “do-it-myself” mentality. I’m self-sufficient. I’m strong. However, in reality..... I can’t do it myself. 

My help. My personal aid, supporter, advocate, interceder...... my ‘need-meeter’! God not only supplies any and all help I need.... He IS my help! My personal help! 

I like that word, “MY”. My own personal, exactly what I need, designed especially for me.... Help! 

All I have to do is say.... ‘help’. I need to accept God’s help. I need to realize that I don’t HAVE to do it on my own. I don’t need to struggle and fight..... I only need to accept God’s personally designed help. 

To create a positive day, I need to turn to my personal ‘need-meeter’, and accept Him and His personally designed help!