Trust

What does the word "Trust" mean?

A common dictionary definition is:

Noun

1) Confidence in or reliance on some person or quality.
2) Dependence upon something in the future; hope.
3) Confidence in the future payment for goods or services supplied; credit. "I was out of cash, but the landlady let me have it on trust."
4) Trustworthiness, reliability.

belief
confidence
expectation
faith
hope

Hopefully this gives an adequate understanding of what the word Trust means, but this is not the purpose of this article. The purpose is to ask the question; in whom or in what do we put our trust?

Specifically I would like to focus on the second definition above, in whom or in what do we put or lay trust for our future protection and direction?

It should not take long to guess my focal point here; that we should put our trust in YHVH (The LORD). Many of you reading this would agree. Do you know that many pastors of many congregations are saying that the end times are near? The words "end times" evoke many images, some of which are not that enjoyable to consider. Unfortunately, many mainstream Christians believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. This is a very convenient idea that allows those who believe in it, to not seriously test their trust in YHVH. I myself do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture because the Bible does not support this (for more information about this, see the article on the Rapture). Since the purpose of this article is trusting in YHVH, let’s assume for a moment that there is no pre-tribulation rapture. If that is true, then you may be a part of the tribulation, in what or in whom will you put your Trust? If you are suddenly presented with this question for the first time (which would be the case if you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture) do you know what you would do? As is the practice with articles on this site, let’s see what YHVH’s Word has to say about this.

First, we have the famous verse in Proverbs:

"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV throughout unless noted)

How do you interpret this verse; do you believe it? If so, how are you applying it? How many people do you know who SAY they trust in YHVH yet their actions show otherwise?

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalms 56:3-4)

"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." (2 Samuel 22:31)

Do you put your confidence in man or man’s technologies? I know of a person who puts all of his trust in his guns. Think about that for a moment... How much security does a gun give you? There are many in this world who believe this way. How many movies have you seen where the hero is the hero because he can blast away with big guns and save the day. But let me ask you, what happens when someone comes along with bigger and better guns? How much security do your guns give you then?

"But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils." (Luke 11:22)

This is what YHVH says about trusting in man!

"It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man." (Psalms 118:8)

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God." (Psalms 20:7)

"Let him not trust in futile things, deceiving himself, For futility will be his reward." (Job 15:31)

"Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help." (Psalms 146:3)

"And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24)

Trusting in man does not sound like a wise thing to do. The following verses are even more pointed.

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage." (Proverbs 11:28)

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered." (Proverbs 28:26)

"Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5)

Look at the above verse carefully; you are cursed if you trust in man. Unfortunately, a great deal of what we do and what we see around us builds up our trust and confidence in ourselves and man. I am not saying we should develop mistrust of everyone around us; however, we must put our full confidence in our heavenly Father. Our society and media play on our emotions and lead us away from trusting in YHVH. Our movies and our heroes are men! We put our trust in our government, our military, our insurance, our money, our spouses, our jobs, and our guns. We do not lay our full trust in YHVH. Oh we say "In God we Trust" but our actions say otherwise.

A word of caution here: I am not saying we need to resist authority or not to lock our doors at night, or not to buy insurance because we trust in YHVH. Is it wise to build your house on a flood plain? YHVH expects us to do what we can for ourselves. I believe we need to take reasonable measures to take care of ourselves. Yet when the iron is in the fire, where is our trust? Some reading this may think it foolish to trust in YHVH, but remember Jeremiah 17:5? Many times scripture shows you both sides, just two verses later we see the opposite view.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:7)

Are you being to be blessed? Yes, it is a blessing to put your trust in YHVH.

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You." (Psalms 5:11)

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him." (Psalms 28:7)

"O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalms 84:12)

So what are some of the blessing that are gained by trusting in YHVH?

"In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalms 56:4)

"In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalms 56:11)

"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7)

Here we see that one of the blessings is to be free of fear. Do you have any fear? What is it that Paul said we can receive from YHVH?

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

One of the ways we can achieve this wonderful peace is to put our full TRUST in YHVH. One of the blessings we have from trusting YHVH is deliverance!

"And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him." (Psalms 37:40)

"who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us," (2 Corinthians 1:10)

"Show Your marvelous loving-kindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them." (Psalms 17:7)

Do you see that part of the requirement of salvation is trusting in YHVH?

Look what Luke said in Acts

"So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

Remember that a synonym of trust is belief!

Conclusion:

It is easy to say we trust in YHVH when our bellies are full and we are comfortable in our easy chair. But do you trust in YHVH even to the point of death? I know of modern day examples of godly persons who were tortured and beaten for their faith (Trust) in God. Do you think YHVH would test you to that point? Does YHVH need to test you on that point?

You know Abraham had to be given a real test to see if he would obey YHVH. Remember that YHVH gave the test to Abraham of sacrificing his son Isaac?

"And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12)

We all need to show YHVH that we trust Him. Are we going to wait until the proverbial gun is pointed at our head, or are we showing YHVH that we trust Him in our everyday lives? Read through the Psalms and see how the Psalmist’s put their trust, faith, and belief in YHVH; the one true YHVH; the only YHVH that can save.

Blessed be His Name.

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