Monday, August 10, 2009

To Know Me is to Trust Me

“…blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 49:23

Today my trust is being tested. My world is feeling the impact of four devastating blows. Within the course of a couple of days I’ve been dealing with news of further serious physical concerns in regards to my Dad; the very real possibility of my husband's job termination at the end of this week; the unbearable heartache of a marriage ending; and sudden health challenges for another family member.

As my mind has been processing each, I’m surprised at the peace that is flooding my soul. Although my heart is breaking and concerned, the Lord keeps reminding me that He is in control.

“Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.”

I know that I am not the only one on this path. Circumstances arise that continually call us to make the hard decision to trust God. When our human nature wants to argue, complain, throw up our hands in defeat and host a pity party, the Lord calls us to trust. It’s not easy.

Lord, if we could only see You. Father if You would just show us how things will work out then we could hold on with hope and confidence. Blind trust is difficult. It’s called “faith”.

However, only the outcome of these difficulties is unknown to me. My God is not! It’s because I know Him that I can trust Him.

The hope and confidence I can claim are not feelings I have to conjure up in my spirit. The Lord IS my hope and confidence. They are names of God, aspects of His character that cannot be separated from His presence.

It’s not easy and there’s a choice involved. The verse says, “…blessed are those who…have made…” It’s work. The word ‘made’ implies effort. To make anything requires work. What is that work? To keep trusting.

Whatever you’re going through, God has not abandoned you. Ask Him to give you strength to trust Him through the concerns weighing heavy on your heart today. I’m claiming Him as my hope and confidence and standing on my Solid Rock.

Do I Trust You Lord - lyrics (Twila Paris)

Sometimes my little heart can't understand.
What's in Your will? What's in Your plan?
So many times I'm tempted to ask You why.
But I can never forget it for long,
Lord, what You do could not be wrong,
So I believe You, even when I must cry.

Do I trust You Lord? Does the river flow?
Do I trust You Lord? Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart, You can read my mind
And You've got to know I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love.
Do I trust You Lord? Do I trust You?

I know the answers, I've given them all.
But suddenly now, I feel so small.
Shaken down to the cavity in my soul.
I know the doctrine and theology,
But right now they don't mean much to me.
This time there's only one thing I've got to know.

Do I trust You, Lord? Does the robin sing?
Do I trust You, Lord? Does it rain in spring?
You can see my heart, You can read my mind,
And You got to know I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord? Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord, when I don't know why.
I will trust You, Lord, till the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord, when I'm blind with pain!
You were God before, and You'll never change.
I will trust You.
I will trust You.
I will trust You, Lord.
I will trust You.



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6 comments:

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

AGAIN you have another very timely message for me! Wow, HOW DO YOU DO THAT??

Blessings and THANKS for sharing!
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Joy,

I read your post this morning (your time, this afternooon mine) and I thank you for letting me pray specifically for you! I am posting a prayer that I sent to a friend awhile back and she sent it back to me this past weekend. It is beautiful and I wish I remembered who wrote it originally, but I think it was Mary Southerland. Anyway, I hope it gives you comfort and a prayer to pray when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Father, I come to You - weak, tired and broken.
I admit my great need for You, Lord
and choose to rest in You rather than to struggle against You.
By faith, I accept the darkness as an opportunity to wait
at Your feet, listening for Your voice alone.
Change me, Lord.
Teach me Your ways.
Strip away what is not of You and let stand what is

Peace,

Karen

Anonymous said...

Thank you Joy for lifting me up!
I want to claim this verse too but found it in Jer. 17:7.
Blessings as we continue to trust in the Lord who is in complete control!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Karen - OR

~Grace and Peace said...

Joy,

((((HUGS))) to you for this time of testing.

"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

May you continue to feel His presence. I am praying for you and your family. Hang in there, my sweet sister.

On Purpose said...

Thank you for living out your trust! Its very beautiful to see! Praying for all situations to be covered in the grace and love of Jesus!

Deb said...

Joy,
You trust Him. He is your hope. He is your confidence.

Therefore, no matter what happens, you are blessed.

Thank you for giving us the privilege of praying for you in each of these areas.

May you have sweet dreams each night this week.