Is anything as simple as trusting? Our babies learned it the first moment we cuddled them in our arms. Cries are hushed. They have unquestioning security. We come between the baby and all potential dangers.
Do we trust in people? Do our children think that public services in our city, like police protection, are the source of our security?
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)). We may repeat God’s precious words and teach our children to say them. But our lives show what we really believe.
Certainly God has not promised a life without trouble. If we read on in Psalm 46, we will see upheaval like we have never experienced, but the truth remains unshaken — God is our refuge and strength. If we use the world’s provision for our help, let’s realize that this provision comes from our God. Is anything too hard for Him?
Why then does He sometimes delay His answer? If He sees it is wiser not to tell us, it is a test of trust. Can we trust Him in the dark, trust Him when we don’t know the answer and everything seems contrary? If we trust Him only when it seems right to us, we are actually trusting in ourselves. Our children will see and will forever remember what Dad and Mom trusted when they did not understand.
We cannot fully trust Him if we cling to what we have in this world. We can indeed be thankful for what we have, but also remember that they are just “things.” We have even now the unsearchable riches of Christ. We are not indifferent to the loss of things, but our dependence is on God Himself. God is our very present help in trouble.
“I trust Him,” said one, “for the things I cannot handle myself.” Are there things you can handle yourself? “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:2828For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28)). Oh to feel and to show in the close circle of our family that we are totally dependent upon the One in whom we trust!