When Trust Gets Down to Everyday Living
Well now, come on up to this ol’ front porch, friend, and settle in before that lil’ ol’ redbird on the fence over yonder starts preachin’ louder than the church pianist on homecomin’ Sunday. Life can get tangled up a whole lot quicker than a fishing line caught up in a blackberry bush. Bills show up, plans wobble, bodies get tired, and worries can multiply like lil’ ol’ rabbits that found a hole in the garden fence. That’s why Psalm 62:8 don’t tell us to trust God only in revival meetin’s or sunny seasons. It plum says, “Trust in him at all times.”
At all times means when the pantry is full and when it looks doggone skimpy. It plum means when the answer comes fast and when heaven seems mighty quiet. Trust ain’t no kind of laziness, and it sure ain’t no wishful thinkin’. Real trust keeps right on walkin’ in obedience, keeps right on doin’ right, and keeps right on placin’ the outcome in God’s hands.
Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding... and he shall direct thy paths.” There’s the hard part. We want God to explain the whole route before we leave the driveway. Faith says, “Lord, I don’t see around the bend, but I know the One leading me.”
That is why Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Peace don’t come from plum controllin’ every detail. Peace comes from downright leanin’ the full weight of your soul on a faithful God.
Then Psalm 37:5 takes trust one step further: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Trust is active. We pray, work honestly, make wise choices, and then place the outcome in God’s hands.
A life of trust lets you live real clean. You don’t have to cheat, scramble, manipulate, or bend yourself crooked just to get ahead. You can walk real straight because the Lord is already ahead of you. His providence is a whole lot steadier than an ol’ mule that plum knows the road home and a heap kinder than mornin’ sunshine slippin’ right on through the pines.
Father, teach me to trust You in the daily things as well as the eternal ones. When my heart gets anxious, steady my thoughts and turn my eyes back to You. Help me walk in integrity, rest in Your care, and believe that You are working even when I cannot see it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, there you have it, so ease on into the rest of your day, friend. And don’t you go borrowin’ any of tomorrow’s worries like a lil’ ol’ squirrel tryin’ to haul off the whole pecan tree all at once. Take the next step, do the next right thing, and leave the weight of this ol’ world with the Lord. Trustin’ God makes for a lighter load and a straighter path. And sho’ nuff’, there just ain’t no softer place to fall than into the hands of a covenant keepin’, lovin’ God.
With joy,
Gwen
