How does one learn to trust God?
When a little child takes a walk with his dad, his small hand willingly slips into the larger hand being offered. The little boy’s hand is soft and tiny, perfectly formed, and holds the promise of a robust and skilled man. Does the child worry about the obstacles to overcome along the way? No; in fact due to his short stature, the child is not even aware of the upcoming curb or the busy roadway beyond. But Dad, seeing all from his higher viewpoint, grips his son’s hand tighter and merely lifts him over the curb.
The Christian life is like this child’s example.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” Coming to know and trust God happens the same way that we come to know another person deeply. Intimacy occurs when we spend extended time quietly conversing with another. As we sit and talk, we become comfortable and begin to describe what is really in our heart: our feelings, our desires, and the way we view things. And as we come closer together, we can almost predict what the other person is thinking before he says it. Similarly, when we love God wholly, making our heart’s focus Him alone, we become more and more willing to submit to Him for anything He plans. That willingness frees Him to bring people into our lives that He wants to love through us. God intensely wants this kind of relationship with each of us.
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
“God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 53:2).
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13).
This call to and promise of relationship was repeated by Jesus Christ:
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14).
In his book “Experiencing God”, Henry Blackaby explained the process this way, “Don’t just do something, stand there.” “Stand there,” Blackaby wrote it is this quiet getting to know God, by prayer and His Word, that develops our relationship with Him, our trust of Him, and our usefulness for Him Continue reading →