What’s it about?
We’ve had mixed messages from our leaders. “We’re in this together” has changed to “Report on your neighbour”. It’s less about keeping people safe and more about obeying arbitrary rules. Why should we be troubled by this? Our trust needs to be in the One who is trustable. Learn how to make sure that’s where your trust is placed today.
Notes
How to trust when no one knows what to do
When I titled this message I didn’t think no one didn’t think they didn’t know what to do.
I realize everybody has an opinion.
But often those opinions are completely opposite of each other and what it’s done is to confuse the rest of us, so we don’t know whose opinion we can trust.
In Alberta we are getting people vaccinated and we are locking people down. And numbers have just started to decline. There was a spike, as there always has been when the government has tried to take control to stop the spike. But there are less of the most vulnerable getting sick so less resources are needed from our system.
In Texas and Florida they are opening up and numbers are going down. Now they had higher numbers than us earlier on and they have a bigger percentage of people vaccinated. It seems like the virus just doesn’t have the places to spread.
But we’ve been locked up for so long that there still are places for the virus to spread. And the government is limited in what they can do to get more of vaccinated – Apparently last week it was an ad with a needle to encourage people to get the shot. Not the biggest tool in the shed came up with that campaign.
But for those of us who read the headlines, why are places that didn’t really lock down better off than us who tried to follow the more stricter rules?
Didn’t the stricter rules work in China and New Zealand?
Why wouldn’t they work in a land-locked supposedly free society?
You get what I’m saying.
We have drug companies telling us we’ll need to get booster shots every year.
Why wouldn’t they want that cash cow?
And we have the CDC saying there’s no proof that a booster – other than for the variants – will do any good.
Who do we trust?
The answer was given thousands of years ago. David sang in what became Psalm 20…
Psalm 20:7 NIVUK
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Chariots are needed and necessary in battle. They give you the advantage. They’re like the scientists.
Horses are strong and you need them to win. They are like politicians.
We can sing…
Some trust in scientists and some in politicians,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Problem
Some of us are trusting in horses and chariots.
We all need to trust in the one who is trustable.
Does this really matter?
What are the benefits of trusting God?
HAPPINESS
Proverbs 16:20
The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.
PROSPERITY
Proverbs 28:25
A greedy person provokes conflict,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.
SAFETY
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
FAITHFUL LOVE
Psalm 32:10
Many pains come to the wicked,
but the one who trusts in the Lord
will have faithful love surrounding him.
DELIVERANCE
Psalm 22:4-5
Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
HELP
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
JOY
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
REFUGE
Psalm 62:8
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge.
SALVATION
Isaiah 12:2
See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.”
PEACE
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
NO FEAR
Psalm 112:7
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
The Story
There is a story in the history of Israel that shows us the benefits of trusting God in an impossible situation. Three armies come to fight against Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat. And when he hears the news he calls a fast to seek the Lord. And Jehoshaphat prayed a prayer that – part of which – you and I need to pray everyday.
2 Chronicles 20:6-12 NIVUK
‘Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” ‘But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’
That is the part you and I need to pray when you we don’t know what to do.
We focus on who God is.
We remind ourself of what He has done.
We remind ourself His promises towards us.
We acknowledge the reality and severity of our situation.
And we cry out “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes on upon you.”
A prophetic word came and told them to “Take up your position, stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord.” And Jehoshaphat sent out the praisers to go ahead of the army. And see what happens in verse 22-23
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
And it took 3 days to pick up all the plunder from those armies.
You and I need to know we’re trusting in the one who is trustable. You and I need to know our hope is secure.
What if?
What if you had no fear of bad news even when it comes?
What if you had the peace and joy that only comes when you trust in Him?
What if you knew you weren’t trusting in the chariots or the horses but were trusting in the name of the Lord your God.
Let me tell you about my wife’s week.
She got an email saying her position is going to be disrupted. The University is getting rid of her job. And then another email saying she had a mandatory meeting to attend with HR and her current supervisor that day. Everything looked like it was happening very, very fast.
She wasn’t afraid that she wouldn’t get work. She wasn’t afraid we’ll lose the health plan. She’s wondering if God wants her to go for the new positions or get out of the university since they’re going to want her to do more with less pay.
I’m more concerned they want pay out her holidays when she probaly needs those holidays after doing every she had to do during the last year.
She’s had a lot of emails from professors who really feel bad for her. They want her to stay at the univeristy and want her to know they will be an incredible reference for her if she chooses to stay or go.
I’m really proud of her and how she’s navigating this.
Her advice is ask yourself “Has this happened before?” if yes, “How did God help you through it?” It helps you know He’ll help you again.
She’s trusting in the one who is trustable.
Imagine
Imagine having peace at all times and in every situation. Imagine it’s an easy rhythm for you to slip into.
It could be in your health, in your relationships or in your finances that you get that news that gets you to cry out “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” That’s a very good place to be, but how do you know you’re trusting in God?
It’s time for a tool…
How Do I Know I Am Trusting God Tool
Proverbs 3:5-12 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
WORSHIP
W
Whole heartedly trust the one who is trustable
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; Proverbs 3:5 a
Decision, Action, Emotion.
You make a decision to trust God. You show yourself you trust God. The emotions you have when you trust God are peace and joy (Romans 15:13)
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Do I feel peace and joy?
O
Orientate to His Thoughts
… do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 b
How do we get His thoughts? The best place is in His Word.
It’s more important I have God’s thoughts than I have my own thoughts.
His opinion is the only one that matters.
It’s not just the written word, it’s the spoken word. It’s His spoken word that brings life.
1. God’s thoughts are deep
How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5
2. God’s thoughts are higher
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
3. God’s thoughts for me are precious
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139: 17
4. God’s thoughts for me are too numerous to count
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Psalm 40:5
5. God’s thoughts for me are good and merciful
O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? Psalm 144:3
6. God’s thoughts for me speak life.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10: 10
7. God’s thoughts are to all generations
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33 :11
8. God’s thoughts are personal
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered Matthew 10:29-30
9. God’s thoughts are to prospers me and give me hope
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Am I wanting to hear His thoughts?
R
Respect Holy Spirit’s leading
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6
You are His sheep you hear His voice. His word is a lamp to your feet and light for your path. Seek His will in all you do. Respect Holy Spirit’s leading in your life.
Galatians 5:16 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Am I asking Him for what He want me to do?
S
Steer clear of “wisdom” that’s not from above
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8
Knowledge is too often rewarded while wisdom is less often revered.
Rememeber…
Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1
Knowledge makes us feel important, but you and I need the wisdom that is from above.
Remember what that looks like…
James 3:17 NLT
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Am I listening to wisdom that comes from above?
H
Honour God with your life
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grains and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Jesus told us not to worry, but to seek first the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:30- 33 NLT
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Does my life show I honour God?
I
Insist on treating hardship as discipline
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. Proverbs 3:11
I have made the decision not to give God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. I’ve also made the decision to endure every hardship AS disciple.
It may come from the enemy, but God will use it for my good.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
For what children are not disciplined by their father?
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Am I treating hardship as disciple?
P
Place value in God’s love.
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
God is for you and not against you. He rejoices over you with singing. He delights in you and has more thoughts for you than every grain of sand on every beach on every ocean and every dune in every desert.
Romans 8:35-39 NLT
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Can you rest in God’s love?
The question you can ask yourself to know if you’re trusting God is:
Am I resting in God’s love?
If you ask yourself any of those questions and you honestly answer back with a NO. The tools God has given us to made right again with him are Confession and Repentance. Confession means to agree with God. Repentance means to change your thinking and turn around and do the opposite.
Agree with God you’re not trusting God. Tell Him you want to trust him more OR Again and ask for Holy Spirit’s help. You’ve been given everything you need for life and Godliness.
Trust Him that He’ll enable you to Trust Him again.
WORSHIP
W – Whole heartedly trust the one who is trustable
O – Orientate to His thoughts
R – Respect Holy Spirit’s leading
S – Steer clear of “wisdom” that’s not from above
H – Honour God with your life
I – Insist on treating hardship as discipline
P – Place value in God’s love
Challenge
Will you worship God as God? Will you trust in the One who is trustable? Will people see your peace and joy and ask you about the hope you have?
You are the light and this time has great darkness.
Don’t trust in chariots and don’t trust in horses but choose to trust in the name of the Lord your God.
Can I pray for you?
https://KingdomWay.ca is our church in Edmonton Alberta. Watch us live at https://KWay.live Watch Video on Demand at https://Kway.tv Connect and learn more at https://MyKWC.ca
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