God’s promises to those who Trust Him:

• 2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven: he’s a buckler to all them that trust in him.
• 1 Chronicles 5:20 … for they cried to God in the battle, and he heeded their prayer; because they put their trust in him.
• Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
• Psalm 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
• Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he’s a shield to them that put their trust in him.

When you consider the scripture which says, our battle isn’t with flesh & blood, it casts an unearthly light on daily experiences, which may otherwise be seen as “relationship problems”, and the heavenly light shows them as either the “old man’s” ways, or activity of spiritual powers of darkness, working with intent to weaken the Saints. One of many ways these powers of darkness choose, to weaken the Saints, is to encourage fear and anxiety to develop. They’re observing the Saints actions and words, and when the Saint speaks or acts out of fear, evil workers are encouraged to pursue their goal of bringing darkness in where light has shone. Saints need to be prepared each day for these occasions, by putting on the full armour of God, sowing to the spirit, binding the Word of God in our heart & mind, meditating on His Word day & night. If you’re flesh tells you “that’s not necessary”, don’t be surprised, because it wants you to be of a weak, selfish constitution, rather than growing in God’s strength and joining His people on the other side of the Jordan, where His promises are our blessing, and His desire is to reveal more of His glory to His Saints and the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

Trusting God, is an act of obedience;

To mistrust (be suspicious of; have no confidence in) God, is to sin:

Nehemiah 6, gives an account of how God views men’s actions when they don’t trust Him. It tells of Nehemiah’s integrity and faith, when he was confronted with faithless men’s evil intent.

Nehemiah 6:10-15 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let’s meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let’s close the doors of the temple, for they’re coming to kill you; indeed, at night they’ll come to kill you.” And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I won’t go in!” Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

God is the knower of our heart.

If I don’t trust Him, He knows this before I even make a visible confirmation of my intent. He doesn’t need to hear it from my mouth, or observe it in my actions, He sees it clearly in me, and as it’s a sin, It’s quite likely that as with many other sins, I’ll experience one, some, or all of the following:

• Being disciplined by Him.
• Suffering from the foolish thoughts and actions of the unrighteous decision.
• Having to manage poorer health due to stress (High blood pressure, reduced absorption of important vitamins and minerals, stomach complaints…),
• Finding companionship with others of similar compromised/corrupt disposition.
• Expressing selfish disposition toward others.
• Feeling proud or worthless.
• Suffering Depression.

To say “I trust God”, but then to worry, be anxious, or deny it in thought, word or action, is to lie to God.

To say “I trust God”, but then, as a result of not believing that He’ll provide for me; to then attempt to get the result I’ve prayed to God for, is an action showing lack of trust in Him.

James 1:5-6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

The one who doubts hasn’t got his eyes and heart fixed on Christ, but the one who’s fellowshipping with Christ, who has taken on His yoke, who’s enjoying and expressing love & trust of God in Christ; he has no fear, and rests in His promises,

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”; This love is portrayed in Song of Solomon, 1:4 “…we will remember your love more than wine: the upright love you…. 2:6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.”

The new man lives by faith in God, he confides and trusts fully in his master; he lives by God’s promises, walking in faith and bearing fruit for God’s glory. And though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: because the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Naham 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.

1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you;…”

Why Choose Me?

Trusting God can be a hard dynamic to comprehend; The natural man tends to think that to receive a favour, there has to be a favour or payment given in return, otherwise, why would God bless me? Or to what point would He bless me before my credit runs out? The natural looks for some value in man, to justify God blessing him.
This egocentric questioning perspective is even in Hymns and songs that are sung today. Just because “we’ve always sung that song”, or “it’s an old classic”, doesn’t mean that it’s good to keep singing it:

“I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He has made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.”

The Word tells extensively that God’s favour to mankind is not because of works or bloodline; God’s favour is His sovereign choice (His absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure), and all He does is deservedly for His glory:

Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened* us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;) And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it’s the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(*to make one alive)

Ephesians 9: 9-11 “…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

There’s nothing in Adam man, that God see’s as a base to start a relationship with, and our righteousness’s are as filthy rags. The following passage in Job 4:17-21, speaks of the value of man if he isn’t redeemed by Christ, and its the condition of the old man that remains a part of the Saint until death of the body:

“Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error, How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth? They’re broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding. Doesn’t their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.”

Any attempt to answer the “why me” question, other than to say it’s God’s sovereign choice, is to give room to the “old man”. (An example of God’s sovereignty, is His choice of Jacob and rejection of Esau, ref: Malachi 1:1-5 )

Accept and Enjoy the Sovereignty of God

The new man in Christ, who humbly, gratefully, recognises being redeemed by the sovereign will of God, is productive for God’s glory, and lives in the light & peace of His great love!

Ephesians 1:5-7 “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace“

The “old man” takes every opportunity to reduce or turn the new man from God’s grace, faith and peace, but when God starts a work in someone, He sees it through to completion. God wants us to live in the joy of His immeasurable grace;

• He sent Christ to redeem us,
• Christ lives to intercede for us,
• He sends His angels to guard us,
• He sent Holy Spirit to minister to, & comfort us,
• His Word is available as a lamp to our feet every day,
• He answers the prayers of His elect, according to His wisdom,
• He blesses the Saint’s with His presence when 2 or more are gathered in His name.

With God for us, who can be against us;
So after all His gracious mercies toward the Saints if we don’t trust Him, or are doubtful of His promises, then we’re simply not fellowshipping with Him. But, to have fellowship with God each day, is the most peaceful place to be, Mary knew how good it is, just to sit at His feet and appreciate His provision.

Taking Your Hands Off The Wheel

Psalm 16:1, 8&9 Preserve me, O God: for in you do I put my trust….
I’ve set the Lord always before me: because he’s at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Resting & trusting in God, can be described as “taking your hands off the wheel”, but that doesn’t mean sleeping in, or sitting on a beach with a drink in my hand, and expecting God to take care of my responsibilities.

God’s prepared plenty of good works for His Saints to complete. In Matthew 25, The Word tells of a Lord leaving His servants with resource to trade, then he went to a far country, and returned, asking what they’d done with the resources they’d been left with. We’ve responsibilities to righteously fulfill each day, some of which are: Self discipline, communication, helping others, work, diet choices, management of time and other resources… When the heart is fixed on Christ first, these responsibilities are fulfilled without stress, and our needs are met regardless of the natural man’s perception of available resource, because God isn’t limited in His ability to provide subject to what is naturally available.

The other side of the coin…

The natural mind (compared to the spiritually intelligent mind), can say that although God can do all things, we actually have to do the “practical” things ourselves, it’s like the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves” (this isn’t a scriptural quote, it comes from a Greek play write Sophocles).

There’s a distinct difference between living in faith, to living in a position of self sufficiency or non-belief (anxiety or fear).
I was once told:”There are only two feelings that operate in the Stock Market: Fear & Greed“. If either of these two fleshly characteristics are active in a Christian’s life, then righteousness isn’t active at the same time. One foundational action of righteousness, is to commit your plans to God, another foundational action is to fulfil the righteous responsibilities of the day.

James 4:13-15
“…you should say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”.

Proverbs 3:6 
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He’ll direct your paths.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

The new man trusts God implicitly (without qualification: absolutely). To trust Him, is to “let go of the wheel”, and have no concern about the possible deviations from that moment, not making contingency plans. We deserve nothing of His assistance, but God doesn’t give because we deserve, He gives because that’s His sovereign will.

Don’t look into the Ark,
Faith trusts that whatever God provides or allows, is the best way, regardless of the way. The verse linked to the above underlined text, is 1 Samuel 6:19, which refers to: Man’s fleshly inquisitive desire to look into God’s depths; as if we can work out the reasoning, or ways of God, or to have some ability to possess His Godly power for our own gain. You may recall, as written in Isaiah 14:12-15, that Satan thought that he could take possession of a degree of God’s power, and it was his foolish sinful action that had him thrown out of heaven.

The Word speaks of God’s incredible kindness and compassion for the Saints through Christ. Even though we deserve nothing from His gracious hand, he blesses us far above what we need. When any thought of doubt or dissatisfaction exists toward God, it’s from the mind of the “old man”, don’t give him a moment of consideration, pray that God would open your eyes as He did with Elijah, and you’ll bear fruit for Him.

What a place to be… Trusting in God, and living each day knowing that God:

• Hears my prayers.
• Will provide the next meal.
• Will teach me what I need to know.
• Will sort out other peoples problems.
• Will bring to repentance, those that are to be saved.
• Will keep me from the desires of my selfish, foolish flesh,
• Will establish and remove earthly governments subject to His will.
• Is aware of, & working for His glory, in situations that the man in the flesh fears.
• Will open & close doors before me, according to His will, for my benefit & His glory.
• Has secured salvation for the Saints, through the blood of Christ…

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

The Only Fear Saints Should Have:

Psalm 111:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
all they that do his commandments have a good understanding:
his praise endures for ever.”

Malachi 3:16-17
“Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another:
and the Lord hearkened, and heard it,
and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 
And they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them,
as a man spares his own son that serves him.”

APOSep18