The word for this week is: “Trust”.
The thought for this week is: In God we trust.
“In God we trust”. These are the words that we find on all coin and currency of the United States. But exactly what does it mean to trust in God? To answer this question let’s explore our feelings about not knowing what tomorrow will bring. This truth may cause some anxiety; however, when our faith is in God, it should bring us hope. God sees tomorrow and is able to prepare us for whatever is to come. So, what is it about the future that makes us afraid? Considering all the possible future bad situations we could find ourselves in, it is no wonder we are anxious. The truth is, our apprehensions probably come from viewing the circumstances through our own limited perspective. Instead, we should be confident that God is working on our behalf in ways that we cannot see. Therefore, “In God we trust” means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
Read II Kings 6:8-23 about how Elisha knew where the Arameans were going to be each time they were attempting to ambush Israel. How did the King of Aram respond when Elisha learned of his secret plans? When the Aramean army surrounded Elisha and his servant, do you think Elisha was surprised? Why do you think Elisha was able to see the Lord’s forces but the servant could not? Isn’t it interesting that the Arameans started out hunting Elisha and ended up following him to Samaria?
To judge any situation by our limited perspective means that we are not getting the full picture. Elisha understood this, which is why he was eager to hear whatever God had to say to him. He learned to look beyond what he could see and to see things from God’s perspective. As a result, God showed Elisha amazing things and did many miracles through him.
Too often, we are like Elisha’s servant. Our mind searches for a way to deal with what we are seeing and in despair cry out “What can I do”. Instead we should be like Elisha by trusting in God. That way when troubles come our way, we are more able to see things from Gods view point and learn of the vast resources that are at our disposal.
Pray through the following Scripture and strive to memorize Jer. 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we again ask for your rich and bountiful blessings. Instill within us the power to trust in you that we may come to a place in our lives where we are able to see things as you see them and to not rely on our own limited sight. Thank you for the power of your word. Lift us up, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
By Rory Barneche