In who or what do you place your trust?
There are a lot of things in the world that’s vying for our trust. I’m told if I buy certain skincare and make-up products, I’ll reduce / eliminate the signs of aging. (I confess, I’m intrigued by the thought!) I understand that if I drive a particular type of car, I’ll have all the excitement and power I could want. If I use this or that weight-loss plan, I’ll be able to eat anything i want and still have the pounds just drop off. (Again, intrigued by that!)
I’m told that if I have enough friends on the “social network” or tweet enough that I’ll never be lonely and that my live will be full and complete. That putting my trust in the virtual world is more satisfying and secure than the real world.
Of course, I’m also that if I support and vote for a particular politician or political party that all my problems will be solved. I’ll never have to worry about money or taxes … my health will be taken care of, I’ll always have a job and I’ll never have to worry about the future. (Not holding my breath on this one.)
And, yes, I’m told if I go to this church or that one, that it’s God’s favorite and that I’ll receive all the blessings I could ever want. And, then when I go to that church, I’m told that if I follow these “rules” and traditions, that my place in God’s favor and my heavenly mansion is secure.
But are those things worthy of my trust? Are those the items that bring peace, security … that bring me closer to God?
The children of Israel thought they knew what they should put their trust in — altars and sacred stones. And really, when you compare altars and sacred stones to the list above, it does seem like they had a better handle on things. In fact, God Himself, told the Israelites to build altars and gather stones as a way of remembering / honoring how God had provided, protected, healed, and delivered them.
But, somewhere along the way, Israel forgot their purpose of those items. They forgot that the altars and stones were only symbols … a way to remember. Instead, the Israelites started trusting in those objects for their provision, protection, health, and deliverance.
“Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones….Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars.” (Hosea 10:1-2; 8b)
The only one Israel should have trusted was God. The only one I should ever put my trust in is the Lord.
The danger we run into is when we start doing certain things — or we get into a routine — or we start devoting all our time to a certain ministry — and we experience a special blessing. If we’re not careful, our minds can almost seem to disconnect from our hearts. We start thinking / believing that what we’re doing is the reason for the blessing. So, we think that if doing this particular thing once or twice was good … more must be better. And, somewhere along the way, we edge God out. We’re not remembering or serving to glorify God … but simply for the promise of a better life … for what we can get out of it.
And God won’t stand for it.
He may not always destroy the things in which we are putting our trust, but He may allow them to become useless.
Everything we do should be an act of worship … should be to give God the glory. Everything.
If I’m cleaning house (which my husband believes I don’t do enough of), I should thank God for the house I have the opportunity to clean. I should be grateful for the health that allows me to clean … yes, even the toilet or the cat’s litter box. When I’m walking the dogs, I should glorify my Lord for the beautiful day, thanking Him for the four-legged companions He’s blessed me with. When I’m working, I need to remember that I have this job, not simply because of my skill … but because the Good Lord placed me with my company to serve. He gave me the skills and knowledge that I have. When I have a disagreement with my husband (some might call it a fight), I should thank the Father for a husband that does love me and a marriage where we can have differences but still find a common ground. When I’m tired and hurt and depressed, I should thank Jesus for the ability to feel and know that I serve Someone who truly does care and has, in fact, experienced every emotion that I have felt, so He knows what I’m going through … and that He freely offers me His strength to carry-on.
Yes … there is only one person in whom I should ever place my trust and hope … Jesus Christ.
Is it always easy? No! I can get distracted … I can lose focus … I can be tempted to put my trust in things. But everything — EVERYTHING — under the sun is temporary; it’s fleeting.
I choose to place my trust — my hope — in that which is eternal … God and His unfailing love for me. No matter what this world throws at me, if I place my trust in God — if I give Him the glory through it all — “I can handle all things through Him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)
May everything we say and do be pleasing and acceptable in His sight.
Judith, This is a fantastic post, sometimes I think we Americans trust in everything but the Lord. I’m so thankful that I learned years ago to trust in Jesus.
I’m also thankful that your Mother and I were Christians when you and your sister Jackie were born that you both became Christians at a young age, learning to trust in Jesus too.
I’m so proud of your commitment to the Lord. Keep up your good work with
your blog.
Your Dad