Testing For Trust (Psa. 11:5)

Read Psalm 11:5.

What is the Lord "testing" for?  In context it might be testing to see if you will flee and fear (taking the world's counsel) or take refuge in Him during it all.  He is testing for trust.

Psalm 81

Read Psalm 81.

Asaph begins with a call to worship (81:1-2), followed by instruction regarding a specific ritual (81:3-5).  Then, perhaps unexpectedly, Asaph hears God speak.  Verses 6-16 is a written transcript of what was said.  It reads similar to a prophecy.  The goal is not to scold but to encourage and to invite. There are two invitations: "Tell me" and "Trust me."  Open your mouth and tell God about your need. Trust Him to meet that meet.  Don't become self-sufficient, seeking man-made solutions.  Remember Who God is and all the great things He has done for you.  Believe that He has your best interests in mind.

Little Or No Faith

In the Gospel of Matthew, five times Jesus chides His disciples for having little faith or nearly non-existent faith.

1. Mt. 6:30 > Jesus wants us to trust Him to take care of us.
2. Mt. 8:26 > Jesus wants us to trust Him during the storms of life.
3. Mt. 14:31 > Jesus wants us to trust Him when our eyes can easily be diverted from Him onto our circumstances.
4. Mt. 16:8 > Jesus wants us to trust Him to provide, to remain confident in His capacity and capability.
5. Mt. 17:20 > Jesus wants us to cultivate faith through fasting and prayer.  Faith for this moment might be secured during a previous moment.

No Reciprocity (Jn. 2:23-25)

Read John 2:23-25.

Many "believed" in Jesus, but He did not believe in them.  Many "trusted" Jesus, but He did not trust them.  How is it with you?  Do you trust in Jesus?  Why?  Does Jesus think you are trustworthy? Why?

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 5)

4. EFFECTIVE PRAYER REQUIRES TRUST.

“So he entered and shut the door behind them both” (2 Kin. 4:33).

Elisha shut the door to keep out both Gehazi and the woman. I don't know about you, but being shut out makes me feel frustrated, disqualified or unwanted!

When Elisha shut the door, the woman had no strategy left but to trust.

• She had to trust that Elisha had her best interest, and her son's welfare, in mind.
• She had to trust that Elisha knew what he was doing.
• She had to trust that Elisha would respect her son's body while he “did his thing.”
• She had to trust that her being shut out and feeling left out didn't mean Elisha was cruel or was trying to send a message.

From where did the woman's trust in Elisha come? Her trust came from relationship. Her husband and she entertained and hosted Elisha in their home (2 Kin. 4:8- 10). She received spiritual ministry from Elisha at the new moon and on each Sabbath (2 Kin. 4:28). Today we would say that she attended the weekly and special services and got to know her pastor.

It is one thing to tell God what's on your mind; it is another to believe that He hears, He cares and He is in the process of answering.

• Psa. 9:10 > “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
• Psa. 37:5 > “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

(Tomorrow's post: part 1 of the conclusion.)

Get In Jesus' Way (Mk. 6:56)

Intentionally position yourself to be in Jesus' way.  When He passes by, you can reach out and receive from Him.  Where will Jesus be in your life today?  Wherever He is going (whatever is His will for you), that's where you want to be.

Verse Of The Week (05/13/16)

Burrell Lake Park, Lower Burrell, PA  4-8-16

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD 

And whose trust is the LORD. 

For he will be like a tree planted by the water, 

That extends its roots by a stream 

And will not fear when the heat comes; 

But its leaves will be green, 

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought 

Nor cease to yield fruit." (Jer. 17:7-8)

Three Benefits of Trusting in God (Psa. 125)

Read Psalm 125.

When you trust in God...

• You will be stable in your outlook (Psa. 125:1).  You will be "as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved..."
• You will be surrounded by His presence (Psa. 125:2).  "...the Lord surrounds His people..."
• You will be separated from the wicked (Psa. 125:4-5).  You get a different reward because you had a different heart and a different pursuit.

Make a Full Break with the World (Dan. 4:7-9)

Read Daniel 4:7-9.  Nebuchadnezzar is the King of Babylon.  Daniel is God's true prophet (one who speaks for God).
Nebuchadnezzar knew his magicians couldn't help him.  He knew his worldly wise men couldn't help him.  He knew his dream was significant and needed interpretation.  He knew Daniel could interpret dereams, for he'd done it before (Dan. 2:24-25). 

In spite of all that Nebuchadnezzar knew, he still hung onto the magic and worldly wisdom.  Neither one worked, but he wouldn't make a clean break with them. 

Christian, are you holding onto the world?  Haven't you discovered it is inferior to what Christ offers?  Or is it that you love the world? (1 Jn. 2:15-17).  When did Jesus alone become insufficient?

Comprehensive Trust in God (Prov. 3:5-12)

The big idea:  Trust God in every facet of life (Prov. 3:5).  Four specific examples are given.

• Trust God in your decisions (Prov. 3:6).
• Trust God in your health (Prov. 3:8).
• Trust God in your wealth (Prov. 3:9-10).  This includes your possessions and your paycheck.
• Trust God in your character development (spiritual formation) (Prov. 3:11-12).  God has a vision of who He expects you to become.  Discipline is one way He accomplishes that vision.  God finishes what He starts (Phil. 1:6). 

In what area do you most need to trust God today?  Trust is something you do, not something you plan.  To trust God, first fear Him (Prov. 3:7).