In God We Trust

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

This weekend marks the anniversary of “In God We Trust” becoming the motto of the United States of America. On July 30, 1956, the 84^th Congress unanimously passed the joint resolution and President Eisenhower signed this faith-filled motto, that had been declared throughout our history, into law. “In God We Trust” had already been proclaimed on our currency, in our national anthem and various documents, flags, military regiment mottos, and more – but in 1956 we honored God by, and established our trust in Him, as our national belief guiding America throughout history.

While this powerful motto is important to proclaim it is even more important that we put it into practice. As I began to think about writing this message, I was compelled to ask myself if I am really trusting God in all things concerning my nation, neighbor, and life. This is one of the few things in life that is not, or at least should not be easier said than done. Trust is a verb, so why is it that some days we seem so frantic and panicked? I am part of the “we” in this declaration, so I asked the Spirit to search me and convict me in areas of my life where I am not fully trusting God.

A lack of trust will cause us to hesitate and often manipulate the situation. As I have been leaning into what it means to trust God, I keep coming to these thoughts: Do I trust God when He says “WAIT”? and what am I thinking and doing as I wait? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” The word “acknowledge” means “to know by experience and instruction.” This is how we can, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10) Trusting God means I anticipate His wisdom, purpose, love and glory in the process, timing, and outcome of every situation whether my wait is five minutes or five decades. The danger zone begins the minute I start leaning on my own understandings and acting in my agenda and timing. How can I possibly believe that I can hurry the Creator of time? How absurd to think for a moment that I know better than the King of Kings! But I must confess I am still an imperfect human still in the sanctification process and I have run ahead of God and asked Him to follow and bless me instead of waiting and anticipating the greatness and glory He has already prepared before I was even born.

The second point the Spirit pointed out to me was when I say I am “waiting” but the truth is that I am hesitating. There are many occasions in our lives when God’s character, commands, and confirmation have clearly pointed us in the right and righteous direction, but our lack of trust causes us to hesitate and resist obeying Him. Fear, pride, insecurity, inconvenience, discomfort; whatever our excuse, at the root it is disobedience and a lack of trusting God to guide and provide all we need for the life and assignment He has prepared and purposed uniquely for us. When we hesitate, we do not anticipate God’s authority and affection to prevail. Instead, we resist God and manipulate the perception of the situation by saying we are waiting on God when the reality is that He is waiting on us.

Trust comes before we have all the answers and can see the end and the outcome. Trust yields to God and lets Him decide and direct. Trust comes from the heart and calms the heart, so I knew as the Spirit revealed unsettled areas of my heart that I was not fully trusting God in every situation and need.

Do you have any unsettled areas in your heart? Declare your trust in Jesus and walk in the security of your Savior. Let’s not hesitate. Would you please begin to pray about this with me right now?

Lord Jesus You are the One True God, Creator of heaven and earth, and all it contains belongs to You. You have given me life and came to give life more abundant. Your love, Your strength, wisdom, thoughts and ways are higher than mine or any man and so I ask You as Your child to lift me in Your arms in my weakness and let me glimpse life through Your attributes and abilities that I know from Your Word and walking with You. Great is Your faithfulness; You are God Almighty, sustainer, redeemer, beginning and end. I love you and trust You with every breath You have put in my lungs and the path that You have prepared and purposed me to walk for Your honor and glory! In God I Trust! In Your beautiful, Holy, powerful Name we pray, Amen!