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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

    and He will direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-7 Modern English Version

The verses above are some of my favorite Bible verses. They are comforting to me, but I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t follow them.

I Want to be in Control

I try, but I have control and instant gratification issues.

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

    who draws strength from mere flesh

    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

    they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

    in a salt land where no one lives.”

Jeremiah 17:5-9 (NIV)

It isn’t that I don’t trust God. I worry and have anxiety. He’s got the whole world to run. What if he forgets about X, Y, Z? I can’t let it go.

Anyone who can hand it over to God and truly release it, I applaud. I hand it over, but I take it back. I give it up, but don’t let go.

What is the answer?

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

These were the instructions that God gave to Joshua after Moses died. He was now in charge. Those were some big shoes, I mean sandals to fill.

https://www.easyenglish.bible/bible-commentary/joshua-lbw.htm

The link above is for the commentary on Joshua. I encourage you to read it.

The Israelites had seen God move in mighty ways as I have.

Jesus tells the disiples

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/matthew/matthew-26-41.html

Are We Trusting or Not?

“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

Exodus 14:31 (NIV)

“You also made the Lord angry at Taberah, at Massah and at Kibroth Hattaavah. And when the Lord sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, “Go up and take possession of the land I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You did not trust him or obey him.  You have been rebellious against the Lord ever since I have known you.

Deuteronomy 9:22-24 (NIV)

This is Moses talking to the children of Israel reminding them of the golden calf, but it could be me. I haven’t set up a golden calf, but I don’t trust in Him the way I should.

Faith+Love+Obedience=Trust

“For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:6 (NIV)

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_peter/2-6.htm

And he that believeth on him — With a lively faith, a faith productive of love and obedience; shall not be confounded — In time or in eternity.

From the above commentary link.

I think that says it all. A faith productive of love and obedience.

Faith and trust go hand in hand.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.”

Proverbs 3:6 (The Message)