Do you trust in God?
Before we are quick to answer, it’s important to take a moment to reflect. What does it mean to have trust in God? It can be very easy to express that we trust in God, but the practice of trusting Him could be more difficult than we may imagine.
To begin, we must understand that “trust in God” is a virtue that can only be obtained from above. This virtue helps us to have full assurance that God provides to his own; it’s a complete confidence that we will receive the help from him in all our tribulations and struggles.
There are many examples in the scriptures of those who had this virtue and lived their life with a full assurance in the creator. For example, Job experienced difficulties and calamities that brought so much pain and suffering (Job 1). However, he never lost the trust he had in the almighty because even through the moments of pain, he expressed in Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God…”
Job never doubted that he would receive the help from God. Unlike his wife, who complained during those difficult moments, Job knew exactly who he had believed in. Furthermore, there are many benefits we receive when we place our trust in God. For example, King David speaks in Psalms 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
David spoke these words from experience because he also placed his trust in the creator. When David showed up to confront the giant named Goliath, he knew his strength wasn’t going to give him the victory. David trusted in the almighty. Similarly, when we place our full confidence in God during our trials and hardships, he turns to bless our life.
Another benefit to those who trust in God is that they will receive the reward of eternal life. As it says in Hebrews 10:35, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…” It’s a clear reward, a promise given by the creator, to those who place their trust in him.
Therefore, when we are going through hardships and difficulties in life, it’s crucial that we place all our trust in the almighty. Whether our suffering is pain, illness, economic downfalls, or any other necessity in our life, it is important to remember to always seek God first. In the exact moment of our trial, we must remind ourselves to seek the Lord. How will someone seek God? We must seek Him through prayer. Jesus left a precise example for us to follow. We can read in Mark 14:32-42 about the difficult moments he was experiencing, but also of what he did during that moment. He looked to God and asked if it was possible not to go through that suffering, but he did not demand it.
It’s important to understand that perhaps God doesn’t take away our pain or suffering, like Jesus, but He will give us the strength to endure. To finalize, I would like to extend an invitation to visit a congregation of The Light of the World to learn more of this virtue. You will learn what God desires for your life and find the tools that will help you through any trial or tribulation in your life. Feel free to reach out to join us at our daily services. Information is available at “The Light of the World Juneau, AK” Facebook page or email to lldm.juneauak@gmail.com.
May the peace of God dwell in your hearts and God bless you all.
• Joab Cano is a missionary for the Light of the World Church. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Friday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
