10032020 Trust in God

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of God, our Rock! There are times when we especially need a Rock to cling to, and God is always there to be that for us.

Lesson #8. A godly man trusts God in the midst of suffering.

There are things that a godly man cannot do in the midst of suffering. Almost certainly, he did not choose his suffering. It is likely that he cannot change his suffering. It is probable that he does not understand his suffering, either the reason for it or what God is seeking to accomplish through it. It would be unusual if he knew when his suffering would end.

With so much that is unknown and that falls outside his control, the godly man remembers that God chose (or allowed) his suffering, that God can change it anytime He chooses, that God completely understands it, and that God knows exactly how and when it will end. The proper and logical response to these recognitions is to trust in the One who knows and controls all.

In part, that means to acknowledge God's right to send what He sees best. "But [Job] said unto [his wife], Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (2:10). Job had received much blessing from God, and now he was receiving what was difficult, but he trusted God enough to accept differences in life circumstances. This is like the lines from the hymn "Day by Day": "He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best - lovingly, its part of pain or pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest."

Trusting God in times of suffering makes all the difference in the world. Those who don't trust God truly live in a precarious position. They are like a fragile rush, growing by the waters. "Whilst it is yet in his greenness and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish" (8:12-13). This man withers easily. Not only that, but think of what his man-centered trust is like. "Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web" (8:14). He is hanging on next to nothing and has no real support. "He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure" (8:15). This man flourishes in the sun (8:16) and may seem to be thriving, but he is nothing but roots wrapped around rocks, and he will soon be choked out. The place where he had been does not even remember him (8:18). His remains will be nothing but dust that others will build upon (8:19). Wow, we really don't want to trust in ourselves and our own strength, do we!

Even for those who trust God, our lives may seem precarious for a time, but when God is doing a work, nothing is as precarious as it seems. Look at the contrast for a man who trusts God. "Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man. Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought" (8:20-22). When all is said and done, the wicked will perish, but those who trust God will remain. They will be accepted by God, will be encouraged by God, and will be upheld by God.

Job's friend Zophar gave some good truth about the man who would "prepare [his] heart, and stretch out [his] hands toward [God]" (11:13). Zophar (wrongly) did not think Job fit into this category, but his conclusion about those who do was good. "And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety" (11:18). Indeed, there is a profound level of trust that those who faithfully follow God can have. There is immense hope for them. There is security for them. Trusting God is a wonderful option.

Ultimately, there is no other option but to trust God, no matter what.  Job came to the point of saying, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (13:15). Whether Job is speaking of his illness leading to death, or of his standing before God to plead his case bearing the risk of death, the conclusion is the same. The point was that Job would trust God regardless of consequence, to the point of death if need be. In Job's estimation, anything God ever did would be right. Even if death was the result, God would be trustworthy.

Job was right. We can trust God. We must trust God. There are so many wonderful verses that reinforce this truth.

"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Psalm 9:10). "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident" (Psalm 27:3). "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Psalm 56:3). "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD" (Psalm 112:7). "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength [Rock]" (Isaiah 26:3-4).

When we trust God, is our trust a fragile reed? a precarious spider web? a rock-bound root? a field of empty dust? Oh, no! With God we have a faithful Defender, an unconquerable Commander, a reassuring Comforter, a strengthening Stronghold, an everlasting Rock. What a priceless blessing to have such a firm and dependable source for our trust!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA