February 1, 2022 – Reflections on “Trusting Jesus!”

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4.

As we go through life, we look for someone or something we can trust. We learn early that trusting friends can lead to betrayals. I learned at eight, on the playground at school. I told my friends I had been baptized the day before, and how happy it made me. My ‘friends’ laughed at me. I didn’t know the word, deride then, but I learned the meaning that day.

Trusting in the Lord has many avenues and is built on a succession of experiences throughout life. We are never too old to learn to trust Jesus. The Holy Bible is filled with stories and understandings of how to trust God. Noah, Abraham, and Moses and their trust in God give an awareness of the way they listened and followed God’s leading. I have wondered if I would be able to see a reason to build an ark according to instructions for the flood that would come. I don’t think I could climb a mountain to sacrifice my only son, because God said so. Then Moses, who led the children of Israel for 40 years, to the promised land. When their backs were against the sea, and the Egyptian soldiers coming toward them. Then Moses told the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14. And they walked across the dry land of the sea.

We are people who want to be in control and often talk to maintain our control. It is when we listen to God who created us, we find verses in His Word to teach us. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God, my times are in Your hands.” Psalm 31:14-16. And another verse says, Psalm 37:23-24. The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in His way; though he falls, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

Several months ago, I fell, and could not move because of a fractured hip. The pain was excruciating, and after 3 weeks came the rehab therapy. One day, I found a scripture that changed my heart from doubting I could ever walk again to the perfect reason for continuing therapy. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31. I remember my therapist said, this will make you able to go home sooner. As I walked in the parallel bars, I began singing my favorite song, ”Goin’ Home, goin’ home, I’m just goin’ Home.” (My granddaughter sang this song, for my husband’s victory in Jesus, of going Home to Heaven.)

After you listen, one believes Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18. Then enters Faith and Hope! By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:3.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13. These are the building blocks of Trusting… and removing the anxiety of the Fear Not of the world around us. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Abraham heard these words from the Lord in Genesis 15:1. After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 

The first Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE. (Galatians 5:22-23.) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all this, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15.

Will God ever let us down? Can we trust Him? Hebrews 10:23-24 gives the answer. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

What is our identity in Christ Jesus? Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:1-3.

When we really believe and love our Savior Jesus Christ, our lives will reflect His goodness. Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

Where there is reflection, there is Light. The first creation after the heavens and the earth, God created Light. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:8-11.

Trusting in Jesus has an element of waiting on the Lord. His Time is not our time. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26.

Trusting Jesus renews daily our Hope in the One who loves, forgives, and saves us. Jesus gave His life on the cross and defeated death. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13. Each day gives us reason to rejoice when we remember this verse. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm118:24.

Why do we trust in Jesus? Jesus tells us why He came to earth. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b. He is the good Shepherd who laid down His life for us and draws us to Him.