When I was a young girl, we sang a song in our church titled “Trust and Obey”.   It is an old hymn that is not sung very often “now-a-days”.  But the other day I was thinking of trust, and that hymn came to mind. 

Trust.  It is a word that we hear often today in the phrase “Just trust me!”  But what is trust?  And should we just go around trusting everyone?  If not, who or what is worthy of our trust?

The Merriam Webster Dictionary says that trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something. 

One example of trust is sitting in a chair.  When I lower myself into a chair, I trust that it will hold me and that it will not crumble under my weight.  If I sit on a little plastic chair in the toddler nursery at church, it is likely that it will break and I will be on the floor – in other words it was not something in which I should have placed my trust.  The object of my trust was unable to accomplish that which I expected.  In other words, the object of your trust is important!

When we see a parent tossing a baby in the air, with the child laughing and squealing in delight, only to then be caught by the parent, we see an excellent example of trust.  The child is not fearful that he will fall to the ground – his parent is there to catch him.  The child relies on the parent totally: that, too, is trust.

When our young grandson had not yet learned to swim, he was fearful of jumping in the water.  While he did not want to plunge into the unknown, his father was there with open arms, hands ready to greet him in the water.  But for his trust in is father, he would have satisfied himself with running around the edge of the pool and would never have gone in to experience the thrill of swimming.

Scripture speaks of trust often.  In fact, the word “trust” is used in the Psalms 35 times. 

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.”

Psalm 37:5

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Psalm 56:3

“I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

Psalm 91:2

Proverbs speaks of trusting.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5

And the prophet Isaiah extols God as he speaks of his trust in Him.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.“

Isaiah 12:2

Scripture also makes clear that the object of your trust is important.  In other words, does whatever you put your trust in merit your trust, is it trustworthy?  Some things are not, even though they may appear strong and invincible.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 20:7

“Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail.”

Jeremiah 7:8

Both the Psalmist and the prophet warn that some things simply are not trustworthy.  This is in comparison to the Lord, Who is totally trustworthy.  What God says He will do, will, in fact, be accomplished.  When God says that He will keep His children in His hand, nothing will be able to take us out of His hand.  God’s promises are true and sure, and they will come to pass in His time and at His good pleasure.

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”

Isaiah 26:4

So, who or what do you trust?  Are you trusting in your strength and power, the modern equivalent of chariots and horses?   Are you trusting in your wealth and position, your title or your education?  Are you trusting in your good works or your charitable activities?  Nothing in this world is worthy of your trust for eternity because nothing in this world is eternal.  Rather, trust in the LORD.  He is worthy of your trust. He is strong and powerful so that you will find your trust is not misplaced when it is in Him.

Hear the hymn “Trust and Obey” as presented by Don Moen in this beautiful rendition complete with lyrics and picturesque scenery.

 

Father, forgive me when I have taken my eyes off Jesus and misplaced my trust in my own strength or activities.  Forgive me when I have relied on material things for security when You are the only true security in this world now and for eternity.  Forgive me when I have failed to trust and obey, two words that are so easy to say but sometimes to difficult to accomplish.  Enable me, through Your Spirit, to do Your will as a trust and obey Your voice today.