Placing Our Trust In The Wrong Things

When I was working as a software developer it was easy to trust God. I had a steady job, money in the bank and a decent retirement account. Everything was fine and dandy until the day that I unexpectedly got laid off. Filled with panic because I was the sole provider for my family, I began to pray like I never prayed before. I also began to understand that I had been placing my trust in the wrong things. I never really trusted God. My security was in my job, my bank account and my IRA.

Who Do You Trust?

Without thinking too much about it, we place our trust in many people and things every day. When I board a plane, I trust that the pilot knows what he’s doing. Dropping a letter in the mailbox shows that I place my trust in the postal service. I don’t know about you, but I never even stop to think that my breakfast cereal or canned soup may contain poison. This isn’t a bad thing, by the way. Some degree of trust is needed if we’re ever going to make it through life. Here’s something to consider, however. Why is it so difficult to have total and unconditional trust in God?

Trusting God Is Difficult

I’m not going to lie and tell you that it’s easy to put your trust in God. It’s not! We can touch our possessions and view our bank statements online. A pleasant aroma when we walk into a restaurant helps us trust that the food will taste good and be safe to eat. If my boss tells me that my job is secure, I believe him. From an early age, we are taught to rely on our senses. Before we trust in someone or something, we typically apply the “see, taste, hear, touch or smell” test first. Is it any wonder that we struggle to trust God?

Why Should You Trust God?

We might not like it, but that’s why it’s called faith. A few days ago, I asked if you were willing to step out in faith. Well, are you? Before you decide, let me point out why it’s a good idea to place your complete trust in God. Better yet, I’ll let the prophet Isaiah do the talking:

Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:4)

Even though you can’t “see, taste, hear, touch or smell” him, God can be trusted. As the prophet points out, he is an everlasting rock. In other words, he’s all powerful and doesn’t change. Furthermore, he has delivered on (or is in the process of delivering on) every one of his promises as recorded in the Bible.

Open your wallet and pull out a dollar bill. Flip it over and read the words, “In God We Trust”. Let’s make that our goal for today.

Father God – You are an everlasting rock and worthy of all my trust, but I sometimes put my faith in the things of the world instead. Help me to trust you more, in Jesus’ name. Amen.