Trusting God Completely

"Today's Devotion" For June 6, 2005

Read: John 14:1-14; Proverbs 3:1-18

TRUSTING GOD COMPLETELY

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of attending the high school graduation, at a Christian high school, of a second cousin's daughter. The valedictorian gave a speech which addressed the concerns many of her classmates and fellow graduates have about going out into the much more hostile environment of the world and whether they're prepared or not. She then went on to note that their connections aren't necessarily physical, but are most certainly spiritual. She noted that she and her classmates and fellow graduates are held in the very hand of God. It's their faith in Jesus which connects them to one another, no matter the distances in between. Above all, she noted, it's important for them to trust that God will see them through any challenge they may face.

I was equally struck by the salutatorian's address. She noted that high school was, for her, a series of events that challenged her sense of comfort. She was particularly focused on the idea that being comfortable isn't necessarily a good thing if it gets in the way of growing in our relationship with God. She didn't want either herself or her classmates to start taking God for granted. She talked about getting out of our "comfort zones" in order that we might truly grow in our relationship with God and help others to also develop a relationship with God.

The world can be both a scary and a wonderful place at the same time. When we depend upon ourselves to accomplish great things, the world can be very unforgiving and uncaring. When we depend upon God to accomplish His purpose in us and through us, great and marvelous things happen. John reminds us that God's Word is so powerful that by it He made the heavens and the earth and everything in them. His Word actually became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Reading John's account of the importance of Jesus' birth, we're reminded that God has sent His Son into the flesh to save sinners from eternal death. The Word has become flesh. The Proverbs (3:5-6) encourage us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and clearly share Him with the world around us. We're reminded that it's God Who gives understanding and leads us on the "straight" paths to service in His name and, ultimately, to heaven.

By the grace and mercy of God, we're not left on our own to survive the world and all its vagaries. Instead, by God's mercy and grace, we are given the gift of faith in Him so that we live in Him and He in us. We are called to trust in God's providential care so that we can share Him with others as well. Ultimately, God Spirit fills us with His understanding and frees us from our inability to truly live for Christ. We are freed up by God's Will and the gift of Understanding, so that we might step forward fully trusting in God's promises and purpose for our lives. By faith in Christ, we can truly seek to be "trusting God completely," and share His love and compassion with others.

Prayer: Father, trusting is not something that comes easily for me. I have trusted so many times and gotten burned that I'm skeptical, even of You. And trusting in You, when I can't see or touch You is really very difficult. "Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief." Send Your Holy Spirit upon me again this day that I might grow stronger in my faith and trust in You. Father, please don't let me fall. Hold me up as You have promised in Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.