Letting God Work in Our Lives (2) Trusting God (2)

At times we struggle with our faith. We know we ought to trust Him, but we face trials, setbacks, disappointments, failures, anxiety, rejection, etc. Do we trust Him as we ought to? Genuine trust/faith means we completely trust Him God IS there! “I am with you”

Do not be afraid Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Fear of the unknown often affects our one’s trust. Yet that is what God calls for us to do! Many who witnessed God firsthand were fearful, Isa. 6:5 (Isaiah), Judges 6:22 (Gideon), 13:22 (Manoah), etc.

Do not be afraid “Do not be afraid…” Matt. 1:20, to Joseph Matt. 14:27, Jesus walking on the sea Matt. 17:7, after the transfiguration Matt. 28:5,10, women at the tomb

Do not be afraid “Do not be afraid…” Acts 27:23, to Paul on a ship headed for Rome 1 Peter 3:14, as we suffer for righteousness sake Rev. 1:17, One like the Son of Man to John Some 50 times in the Bible we read, “do not be afraid”, most attributed to God

Do not be afraid There is a time to fear Romans 13:4, if you do evil, be afraid “of the government”. Matthew 10:28, fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell But if we are living for Him, we have no need to be afraid! 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…”

Do not be afraid God is worthy of our trust! Trust is usually the product of proven conduct. God HAS proven Himself! Consider what He did to save us Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16 Consider His word, His church – Eph. 3:10, Rom. 1:16 Consider how he can make our lives better – relationships, conduct, etc.

Do not be afraid God is worthy of our trust! Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Isaiah 25:1, “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

Do not be afraid God is worthy of our trust! Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” 1 Corinthians 10:13, “but God is faithful…”

Building Trust in God Walk with Him 1 John 1:7, “if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship…” Isaiah 59:1-2, have your iniquities separated you from your God. God does not leave His place, but do we leave Him? Cf. Luke 15:11-32

Building Trust in God Fear Him We need to take God seriously! Quit treating Him with profane qualities (i.e. as an ATM machine, a personal body guard, etc.) Romans 11:22, Hebrews 10:31 Reverence Him! Approach Him with dignity Hebrews 12:28-29 Proverbs 14:26, “in the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence…”

Building Trust in God Learn contentment 1 Timothy 6:6, Godliness with contentment is great gain Philippians 4:11, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content…” Contentment helps us with worries, our view of our possessions, etc. Matthew 6:19-21, 24

Building Trust in God Be patient Just as God is longsuffering with us, (2 Pet. 3:9) We need to endure! Many struggle with trusting God because they don’t get their way right now, or soon enough

Building Trust in God Be patient Hebrews 10:36-39, You have need of endurance James 1:4, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Building Trust in God Realize tested faith makes you better James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-5, it can produce perseverance, character and hope Many have faced tragedy and it made them better 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Building Trust in God Feed on His word We need to listen to what He tells us In all we have discussed today, we have appealed to His word. It is our guide! Psalm 1:1-2, his delight is in the law of the Lord…

Building Trust in God Feed on His word Psalm 119:104, we get understanding Psalm 119:41-42, “For I trust Your word” Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing the word of God

Building Trust in God Prayer Proper prayer manifests trust in Him Colossians 4:2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”

Building Trust in God Prayer 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Luke 18:6-8, “…And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?...”

Building Trust in God Make up your mind to trust Him All the talking points we make cannot give you the trust you need, until you decide for yourself that you will trust Him. Colossians 3:2, “Set your mind on things above…” Let it go! Resolve to put it in God’s hands.

What we have said in this lesson is nothing new It is simply applying what we already know we need to do

“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Do you trust Him?