November 2009

II Corinthians 3:4,5:
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.

Psalms 118:8:
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

A great part of claiming the promise that our sufficiency is of God is learning to trust in Him. As we focus on learning to trust in God, let’s consider from the Word what we are not to trust in, why we can trust in God, and the blessings we receive when we do.

WHAT WE ARE NOT TO TRUST IN
We are not to trust in man.

Psalms 146:3:
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

We are not to trust in idols or images.

Isaiah 42:17:
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

We are not to trust in uncertain riches.

I Timothy 6:17:
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

We are not to trust in the flesh (in physical abilities).

Psalms 44:6-8:
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

Philippians 3:3:
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

As we’ve seen in previous verses, God encourages us to trust in Him, the living God Who richly gives us all things to enjoy. We learn why we can trust in God by getting to know Him through His Word. Let’s look at some of His great trustworthy attributes.

WHY WE CAN TRUST IN GOD
We can trust in God because He defends, protects, and saves us, and His way is perfect.

Psalms 18:2:
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

II Samuel 22:3,31:
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

We can trust in God because of His loving-kindness.

Psalms 36:7:
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

We can trust in God because He will never forsake us.

Psalms 9:10:
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Hebrews 13:5:
...for he [God] hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We can trust in God because He is strong.

Isaiah 26:4:
Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

Nahum 1:7:
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

We all put our trust in someone or something. God is faithful and changes not; He is trustworthy. By our own free will, we can fully and completely put our trust in Him Who is our sufficiency. And when we do, we will receive the blessings that come with doing so.

Psalms 34:8:
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

WHEN WE TRUST IN GOD
When we trust in God, we see His goodness.

Psalms 31:19:
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear [respect] thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

When we trust in God, it causes joy and rejoicing.

Psalms 5:11:
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalms 33:21:
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

When we trust in God, it allays our fears.

Psalms 56:3,4:
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

When we trust in God, it brings peace.

Isaiah 26:3:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Let’s claim the promise that our sufficiency is of God by learning to trust in Him.

Return to top