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I Choose to Trust

 












Has there been a time when your trust was shaky or on the fringes of becoming nonexistent? I certainly have friend. It is such an unsettling, stressful place to try to exist. Losing your confidence in someone or even yourself can be debilitating and cause you to ask questions like, "How did this happen?" "What can I do?" "Where do I go from here? Or "Who will be with me?"


Maybe these were Joshua's very thoughts. One minute, he was the right-hand man of Moses, a trusted and respected figure in the community, and the next, he was the leader of the Israelites, a role he might have felt unprepared for to a people that did not have a history of being somewhat unruly. He, too, must have wondered why he would be chosen to lead this band of people with a bent to waywardness. Like me, and maybe like you, when things seem to have gone completely crazy, he probably asked the same question, "What's going on here?"


I think we've all had these thoughts while scrambling to find answers to the why of circumstances that move into our lives and, without our permission, rearrange and even reshape our world when we were just fine with things as they were, only to find no immediate answers.


Weary friend, that is when God steps in and says the same thing to us as he spoke to Joshua centuries ago. 'Don't worry. I've got this.' 'Trust me.' At the crossroads of uncertainty, the struggle between hanging on or release we are met with a choice, familiarity or faith?  Joshua chose in faith to follow the Lord. He began a new journey from as the leader of the Israelites with his willing steps ordered by the Lord; he was a testament to what faith can do when we are swimming in nothing but confusion.


Today, you may be living with uncertainty, and the next step seems unclear. Look to Jesus, who is not unfamiliar with change. From newborn King to temple scholar, from teacher to healer, from serving others to becoming the suffering servant, from being viewed as a criminal to King, Jesus obeyed the will of God. He knows. He gets it, and He's right there in the middle of your personal pain and chaos, guiding you, saying, 'Don't worry. I've got this. Trust me.'


What are we to trust Him for in our uncertainty? Maybe today we would not give a thought to trust in armies or horses to come to the rescue as described by the psalmist. These were symbols of war and strength of the day, but we too have our own idols that we place false trust in.  Bank accounts, net worth, influence, education, or status, though all can play a part in improving the quality of life and can certainly be used for good, they are not guaranteed as a sure rescue for us from trying situations. Most important, they cannot save us for eternity. The old saying is that a hearse never pulls a U-Haul behind it. Trust in God is the last man standing. He is our here and now, in the middle of the mess, source of help as well as our eternal source as our Savior through His son Jesus Christ.


Verses for Meditation:



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

Psalm 37:5 ESV


"Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land'" (Deut. 31:7). This verse from Deuteronomy is a powerful reminder that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us in our journey through life. His presence is our constant source of security and strength.


No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength, it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,

on those who hope in His unfailing love,

to deliver him from death

and keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 33:16-19

So, I will choose to trust Him.


photo credit: cpyu.org

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