Trust in the Lord

Intro:

Trusting God for everything is hard, isn’t it. Trusting him with the future discovering that we ourselves are not in control can be frightening. As this day, week, month and year unfold, take a moment to let God know how you feel about trusting Him.

Opening Prayer:

God, I depend upon you. It’s hard to do that , Lord. By myself, I can’t do it. But with you helping me, Holy Spirit, I know I can depend upon you. You’ve always been there, Jesus, walking alongside me and even at times carrying me. So, I choose today to once again put my trust in you. Amen

Bible Verse:

“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.” (Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV)

Reflection:

When I have decisions to make for myself or with my wife Jayne, I can honestly say that I do look to the Lord for guidance. But sometimes I take the decisions back myself or forget to listen and fully trust. How about you? How’s your trust level with Jesus? Do you truly believe you can depend on Him for everything? How about the year ahead? Your ministry decision making…decisions for your family… for your finances….about your health? Are you trusting in Him with all these?

When I think of this verse! I’m reminded of discovering it as a teenager. I was so excited. God had shown me the way. The way to live was to trust in Him. Then he would show me what to do. The excitement hasn’t ever fully disappeared. It’s simply deepened. And now I know, deep within my own heart, that I can trust in the Lord with my whole heart. And he will lead my steps guiding me in everything. How about you? Where do you need to deepen trust? Or where have you got a trust testimony when you saw the Lord come through miraculously and faithfully?

A True story: One time when I was swimming in Port Philip Bay, near my home, I was 1600 metres off shore enjoying a beautiful swim on a sunny, blue sky morning when I saw a mammal break the water beside me. My mind slowed down as I saw the fin. And the gills on the side of the mammal. To begin with I thought it was a dolphin and maybe I could reach out and hold onto the fin, I was that close. Then I realised it was a great white shark, about 3-4 metres long.

I quickly swam to the cliff face beside me and climbed up on a few rocks near the waterline. I waited there for 15 minutes praying and trusting. But because I was still 1600 metres from the beach and the cliff face was impossible to climb, I took the crazy or courageous step of trusting again to climb back in the water. I swam back to shore 2000 metres (because I was hugging the shoreline).

When I got out at the beach, I thanked the Lord that I could trust in Him. He had protected me. Perhaps with one of his angels turning the shark away.

The shark had turned towards me in the ocean and opened its mouth showing me its teeth. But then turned away as if perhaps an angel had blocked its path. Who knows? All I know is I’m so thankful that I can trust in the Lord always..

You might think that story is not true or exaggerated. Let me tell you, it’s absolutely true.

I’m sure you have testimonies of where you trusted the Lord and He worked wonderfully for you. Take a moment to remember and to thank him for those precious times.

Ending Prayer:

Thank you Lord that I can trust in you, no matter what. Whatever area and whatever decision, I know Lord that I can trust in you. And you will direct my path making my path clear and straight. I’m so grateful Jesus that I can trust in you.

Amen