Trust in the Lord
Whom or what does the Bible say we should trust? To Whom or what should you be loyal? The Wise man says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Perhaps, he learned with his father the psalmist. David said in Psalms 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” In fact, Luke praises the brethren in Berea for trusting the Word of God, and not taking Paul’s word for granted, let’s read in Acts 17: 10-12,
Acts 17: 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17: 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17: 12 Therefore many of them believed...
In the Bible the word trust means to confide or hope in. When you trust someone (or something) you will seek their refuge or flee to them (or there) for protection. When we trust someone we will feel secure, safe, even bold or careless in his or her presence. When you trust someone you can rely or depend on him or her. Who do we seek for refuge or go to for protection when we are in trouble? In whose presence do we feel secure and safe? In whom do we rely or depend on? I knew of a Pastor that when warned that his church was going to persecute him, he said, "I will not worry about it. The Conference will protect me, they always look after their Pastors." Six months later that same Conference laid him off.
I have yet to see one verse in the Bible that says that we should trust institutions, organizations or those that represent them. As David and Solomon said our trust should be on God and His word. As the brethren in Berea, when anyone comes to us we should test his or her words and actions against the Word of God. Isaiah 8:20 specifically instructs us how, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Unfortunately, many believe that when a person has a title or position this person knows what is best. So when they see inconsistencies, they do not give it to the Lord in prayer or test them against the Word of God. They follow along the path of destruction. They put their confidence on men. Others simply rebel and harden their hearts against those who seem inconsistent in their faith. They find fault and argue using traditions and historical legacies as their authority and source of understanding. Both extremes are examples of leaning "unto thine own understanding.”
Should we be suspicious of all people that walk into our life? When we walk in the Spirit this should not be a problem. Simeon and Anna had no problem recognizing Jesus (Luke 2: 26-38.) John the Baptist, likewise, recognized Jesus from a distance (John 1:33). The Holy Spirit dwelling in us will tell us or give us discernment as to who is trustworthy and who is not, and how should we proceed as we relate to others in our lives. It may be that you are called to rebuke them in love (Matthew 18: 15 – 20). For most of us, praying for those who are following a wrong path, regardless of who they are - children, siblings, friends, pastors, church leaders, etc., is far better than doing nothing. Those who truly trust God will pray that God will do for others as He did unto them.
