What Do You Trust In?

Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these I delight, saith the LORD.

Psalm 20:5-7 KJV

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Are you smart? Are you strong? Are you rich? Those things can be good but if that’s all you have going for you - you don’t have much. All those things are fleeting and temporary. But if you have the Lord, that is by far the best thing you have. And you have everything that matters. But maybe you haven’t realized it or maybe you forget. Remember! God is good and he is for you.

When times are tough and things are difficult what is it that you trust in? What gives you peace? Or, maybe it is the ubiquitous stress and anxiety that plagues you. What strategies do you have to get past it? 

Maybe you focus on the positive. Maybe you distract yourself. Maybe you are able to put things into perspective. Or, maybe you don't get past it. Maybe you just live there.

When I was in college, I was very obsessive about my grades. I wanted that "A." One semester I took an English class that was particular stressful for me because the teacher was a difficult grader. I was a journalist in the army and had studied grammar quite a bit, so I would argue with her over every point she took from my papers. But, she would not relent and would never give me higher than a B. I was unreasonably distraught because I was going to have to say goodbye to my 4.0. I was already married to my husband Lee and I remember comforting myself thinking my husband will still love me if I get a B. And it helped and I felt better. Then I felt a nudge come from God: Why don't you feel that way about me? Why aren't you able to comfort yourself in me?

And the truth is my confidence was misplaced because my husband could have and can choose to leave me or stop loving me but God has said that he will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). 

The love of the Lord is much more reliable than anything else we can choose to rely on.  But if we are lacking in relationship, if we are not trusting in him, not grateful to him, and if we are not thinking about him, it will not “feel” real. The same can happen with my relationship with my husband. One day I may “feel” that he doesn’t love me just because of my emotions (which are affected by things like me being tired or going on little sleep or being sensitive). I could believe it despite his actions and words and all the evidence pointing to the contrary. But if I stop and question whether this is true. What does the evidence say? I will come to realize my emotions are wrong. 

The same goes for the love of God. Look at the evidence. It testifies to his love and goodness. Some may choose to ignore it. But don’t join them. Don’t count yourself among them.

Psalm 19:1-4 NLT

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. 

The sky’s display his craftsmanship. 

Day after day they continue to speak; 

night after night they make him known. They speak with a sound or word; 

their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone through the earth, 

and their words to all the world.