Trust in God Alone

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT keys to a victorious Christian life is trust in the Lord. Trust is very much related to faith, and the Apostle John says, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4) We are dependent upon the Lord for everything, and it is important always to remember this, for it is when we lean on our own understanding or depend upon our own strength that we often fail.

In our lesson we are told, “The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” (Ps. 62:7,8) Speaking for those who do put their trust fully in the Lord, the Prophet Isaiah wrote, “I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song.”—Isa. 12:2

Fear is an enemy to the Christian. It weakens our determination to press on and fight the “good fight of faith.” (I Tim. 6:12) It destroys the joy and peace which should be ours in the Lord. Love “casteth out fear,” the apostle tells us. (I John 4:18) If our love for God and for his plan of salvation is strong, our trust in him will also be strong. Instead of fearing our enemies, we will confront them in the strength of the Lord, and he will become our “strength” and our “song.” The words of God to Joshua should ring true to us also: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”—Josh. 1:9

The Apostle Peter, in outlining the various elements of a righteous character, begins with the foundation of faith: “Add to your faith.” (II Pet. 1:5) Faith, then, is seen to be one of the basic elements of righteousness required by God. We are to have absolute confidence and trust in him, and rely on the assurance that he is not only able to accomplish all of his good purposes, but also that he is able to care for us. He will not permit any experience to come into our lives that will not be for our highest spiritual welfare—Ps. 62:5-7; Rom. 8:28; I Cor. 10:13

Upon the basis of this trust, having our minds fixed on the Lord, and our hearts determined to know and do only his will, we can have, as Isaiah tells us, “perfect peace.” The prophet reminds us, furthermore, that we can trust in the Lord “for ever,” that in him is “everlasting strength.” (Isa. 26:3,4) This means that we can continue to trust him all the days of our lives here in the flesh, and that beyond the veil we will “dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”—Ps. 23:6

In the world today it might seem that sin is triumphant. The unholy governments of our day reign with a high hand. Even those that attempt to change the course of society for the better are unable to do so due to the selfishness of fallen man. This situation will soon change, however, for the promise from God is that the “lofty city, he layeth it low; … even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.”—Isa. 26:5

Thus we can be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”—Eph. 6:10,11,13