Text: Ps 25: 1-3; Prov 3: 5-6 Date: 11/8/24
Introduction
As Christians, we are expected to trust God at all times. It is easy to trust God when the going is easy. But it is very difficult to trust God during uncertain times.
But as believers, we know that His ways are not our ways and that ultimately, God will work out all things for good.
Is 55: 8-9-For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NIV)
Rom 8: 28 -And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)
Trust God in Difficult Times
The bible enjoins us to trust God at all times.
Ps 25: 1-3-In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. (NIV)
Ps 31: 14-15-But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (NIV)
What does trusting God mean?
Trusting God means not leaning on my own understanding.
Prov 3: 5-6 -Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)
Trusting God means calling out for His help.
Prov 86: 2-3-Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long. (NIV)
Trusting God means following when it feels crazy and not complaining.
Deut 1: 31b- 36- There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” 32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, 33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. 34 When the Lord heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” (NIV)
Trusting God means publicly acknowledging Him.
Ps 91:2-I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (NIV)
For me, I always acknowledge that He is faithful.
Trusting God means entering into relationship with Him.
Is 12:2-Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation.” (NIV)
Trusting God means rejecting other others- Idols, money, power, fashion etc.
Ps 40:4-Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. (NIV)
Trusting God means flourishing.
Rom 15:13 -May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Trusting God means obeying his ways.
Titus 3:8 -This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (NIV)
Trusting God means saying no to fear.
Ps 56: 4- In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (NIV)
Trusting God means remembering Him.
Ps 78: 7-Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands. (NIV)
Trusting God means vindication.
Is 25:9 -In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (NIV)
Dan 3:28 -Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (NIV)
Dan 6: 23 -The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (NIV)
Trusting God means salvation.
Rom 4:5-However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. (NIV)
Challenge
What difficulty are you facing right now? Are you finding it difficult to trust God? You need to trust Him even in difficult situations?
Conclusion
We are all living in difficult time across the world. The difficulty in Nigeria is increased by bad governance and corruption. But in spite of the difficulties, we can trust God because at the end, we will be vindicated and rewarded with salvation.
Prayer
Father, help me to trust you in this difficult time.