Trusting God

      If the Sermon on the Mount were boiled down to one major challenge, it would be “Trust God.” From beginning to end, the Sermon challenges us to let go of those things the worldly trust and cast ourselves into God’s arms.

      The first sentence is “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is one of the hardest. I have to learn to quit relying on me. I am not rich enough, strong enough, good enough to be part of the kingdom of heaven. So long as I rely on me, I won’t ever make it.

      That is tough. What are we taught in our society? If I want something done right, I have to do it myself. I have to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I have to blaze my own trail, chart my own course, guide my own destiny. I have to be in control. That is great. It will probably help me succeed in business, but it won’t get me to God’s kingdom.

      How can I gently submit to God and other people, unless I trust God’s way for my life? If I am constantly divided thinking I need some other master or comfort or aid, I will never wholly submit to God. It takes real trust. Especially when submitting to God means facing persecution.

      It is counter intuitive. Why would I do the very things that cause others to despise and ridicule me? I do them because I trust the promises of God that He who sees me even in secret has a better reward waiting for me. I will submit to Him even when others scoff because I trust Him above all others.

      How can I abandon the eye for an eye mindset of personal retaliation and revenge? In the same way Jesus did. Committing myself to the Father (Luke 23:46; I Peter 2:23). How can I abandon the get all the accolades and honor I can mindset? By trusting God’s reward is better than man’s (I Peter 1:3-5). When will I pray for God’s will to be done? When I trust God’s will. When will I pray that God provide me with my daily needs? When I trust God knows what I need. When will I ask for His guidance in righteousness? When I trust His righteousness is best for me.

      How can I look past my daily worries? When will I not be anxious about food and clothing? We aren’t talking about luxuries here, but necessities. I will overcome this when I trust God really does take care of His own. I will overcome this when I trust that the death of those who die in the Lord is blessed instead of thinking I have to hold on to this life as long as possible (Revelation 14:13).

      When will I walk Jesus’ narrow path, building my house on the foundation of Jesus’ word? Only when I trust God above all. Proverbs 3:5 teaches us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” That is what the Sermon is all about. Do you trust God?

Edwin L. Crozier