This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 6: “Pursue Your Future with Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
“Do you trust me?”
This question is often asked to determine if an individual is willing to put something of value in the hands of others.
“Do you trust me with your finances?” says the financial planner to the investor.
“Do you trust me to catch you?” says the dad to his child he’s inviting to jump off a chair.
“Do you trust me to find you fish?” says the fishing guide to his client.
“Do you trust me to sell you a good car?” says the used car salesman to the buyer.
“Do you trust me to protect you?” says the CIA agent working a dangerous engagement.
Trust is a big deal
God asks us, “Do you trust me with your life and your eternity?”
Of course, we often quickly answer, “YES! Of course we trust you Lord!”
But do we?
“Do you trust me to bless you when you give financially first to me?” asks God when we are hesitant to give our firstfruits because we are worried we won’t have enough to “pay the bills.”
“Do you trust me with your career?” asks God when we are willing to compromise our Christian faith to keep a job or gain a promotion.
“Do you trust me with your relationships?” asks God when we seek to do marriage or parenting without seeking guidance and time in the Word.
“Do you trust me with your time?” asks God when we believe we are “too busy” to go to church, spend time in prayer or attend a Bible study or small group.
“Do you trust me with your salvation?” asks God when we seek to “make sure” we are good for heaven by performing good deeds hoping we live a “good life” that God will find acceptable on our day of death.
“Do you trust me?”
I have to admit, I have room for repentance on this one. I do not trust God with ALL my heart, ALL my soul, ALL my life. I want to control some or subconsciously believe God can’t be fully trusted in certain situations.
Forgive me…forgive us Lord.
It’s no wonder that Paul writes to Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, FAITH, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
In this context it would be easy for Timothy to trust finances like others were doing. It would be easy to trust his dedication to the Lord or his family spiritual background.
But Timothy had to pursue faith…trust in the Lord.
At the crux of life is following the wisdom the Spirit gives to Solomon:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Life challenges are opportunities for our faith to grow. When our finances are tight, we can trust the Lord and give to him first. When our career seems in jeopardy, we can trust the Lord to work it out as we honor him in all things. When we are wondering if we have the time to spend with the Lord, we can trust that God will always redeem the time for our spiritual blessing. When we begin to believe that we have to add our goodness to our assurance of salvation, we can trust the Lord he has done it all!
Pursue faith! Pursue trusting God in all circumstances from our salvation to the small things of life. We submit to him and he WILL make your paths straight. Trust him. Pursue faith!
Apply: What aspect of trusting God is most challenging for you? Step into that challenge this week and act in a way that forces you to trust God to work an act of faith for your temporal and eternal blessing.
Prayer: Lord thank you for your Spirit and the faith you have given to me. Lead me to walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that you are walking with me at all times and in all times I can trust you. AMEN.