Summary Do we trust God?  Is there a difference between trust and faith?  Download Link Right click and "Save as..." to Download

 

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Introduction:
Do you trust God?
How’s that for a question. What sort of a question?
Vague? Woolly? Amorphous?

What prompted the question: a personal study of the Proverbs
Proverbs:3:5-6[5]Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.[6]In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I had to stop and think: Do I trust God?
What does it mean?
Trust vs. faith? Are they the same?

Psalm:25:1-3[1]Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.[2]O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.[3]Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause., favorite Psalm. David penned it.
(If anyone ever had to trust God, it was David…)
Hebrew word for ‘trust’ is batach, meaning security, quietness

Trust vs. faith.
Are they the same thing? No, not really.
Romans:8:9-11[9]But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.[10]And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.[11]But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Faith rests on specific promises: if I die tomorrow, God will fulfill His promise
Resurrection of the just.
It’s easy… just connect the dots, and believe it.

But… trust has to do with trials in a different way
E.g. Financial problems
God promises: Psalm:37:25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
But when will relief come? How much will I have to go through?
The promise doesn’t banish the anxiety

Example of trust:
I went to an auction, and bought a painting.
On leaving, I had no checkbook, and my cash wasn’t quite sufficient.
Then I noticed the sign at the entrance: “No credit cards today”
Receptionist informed me they could take my credit card number, charge my card, and then destroy the paper on which the card number had been noted.
I agreed to this, since an auctioneer has to protect his good name.

Trust in God is like that
It’s based on His name and His character
This should be our stance toward God, our overall approach: because of His name, we trust Him

Faith flows from specific promises
Bumper sticker: “God says it, I believe it, and that’s that.”
Trust comes from a knowledge of God’s character
As John says, “God is love.” This means He will always do what’s best for His children. 

Psalm:31:1-6[1]In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.[2]Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.[3]For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.[4]Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.[5]Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.[6]I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD., petition to God
Psalm:34:8-10[8]O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.[9]O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.[10]The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing., trust, as a result of getting to know, to taste of God.
God is reliable and trustworthy, in the general sense
God loves His people, and always does what’s best for you and me

How does this play out?

1. Trust in God isn’t passive
Example: time of David and Saul, about 1,000 years BC
Situation: Philistine threat
1 Samuel:13:19-22[19]Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:[20]But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.[21]Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.[22]So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. technological superiority of the Philistines

1 Sam:14:1-6[1]Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.[2]And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;[3]And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.[4]And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.[5]The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.[6]And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. There was a deep gorge between Michmash and Geba
Even though Jonathan had implements, the Philistines were overwhelmingly superior
Note Jonathan’s words in verse 6: “It may be that the LORD will work for us…” His attitude was “Who knows?”
An attitude of courage, and uncertainty, but not fearful uncertainty
An attitude of trust in God

2. When should we be passive? When should the Christian be active?
Another example:
Ecclesiastes:11:1-6[1]Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.[2]Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.[3]If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.[4]He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.[5]As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.[6]In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Ecclesiastes is a philosophical book, but it assumes prayer, and asking God to guide it all

Applications:
Job search
Personal matters, like dating, marriage, having a family

God’s direction can be unpredictable.
God answers, but in ways we don’t anticipate
Why? He wants us to learn trust.

3. OK, but sometimes it’s “I’ve done all I can. Really! Now it’s in God’s hands.”

Example: Exodus:14:1-4[1]And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,[2]Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.[3]For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.[4]And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so., 10-14
Note: Moses had heard God’s instructions.
For Moses it was a matter of faith.
It was a matter of trust for Israel, as they hadn’t received the prophecy from God, as Moses had.
Israel was called on to trust God

They had nowhere to go!
Sea in front; Pharaoh’s armies behind.
Fear or trust? “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord!”
Sometimes it’s like that for you and me.
We may have nowhere to go!
We have to stand still.
What is God teaching us at moments like that?
Implicit trust

4. Sometimes we can be too independent.
“OK, I trust God, but here’s my plan…”
There’s nothing wrong with having a plan, but it must be submitted to God first …
James:4:13-16[13]Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:[14]Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.[15]For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.[16]But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
This is not passivity, but an element of trust.
[Examples of those who’ve had their plans changed unexpectedly by God]
We’re not to be Christian jellos, or blobs, but we must submit our plans to God.
We need to declare, “My life is in God’s hands; I trust Him.”
Overarching will

5. Sometimes we say “I’ve turned it over to God”
1 Peter:5:6-7[6]Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:[7]Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
“I’ve turned it over to Him. God had broad shoulders; He’s powerful. Why should I worry?”

But at times we may turn it over to Him – and then snatch it back?
We end up in a state of worry, anxiety, and screaming in God’s ears.
Lesson: Turn it over to Him and leave it with Him!
It’s OK to repeat the petition, but not OK to break trust.

There are many examples of this, and at times those examples can be very personal.
Yes, we should rehearse it all with God, but then leave it with Him.
If we say we trust Him, let’s really trust Him!

6. A biblical example:
Matthew:14:25-32[25]And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.[26]And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.[27]But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.[28]And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.[29]And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.[30]But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.[31]And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?[32]And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. (This event is recorded only in Matthew’s Gospel.)
Galilee/Kinneret
Peter: knew from his high school physics class you can’t walk on water. 
Miracles are defined as breaches in physical laws
Then he learned that walking on water was possible with Jesus
He trusted at first, but his trust foundered

Have you ever done that?
Are we like Peter?

7. Concluding story: Courageous trapeze artist

Let me narrate a wonderful story… It’s about an amazing trapeze artist. He could cycle on a tight rope. Once he claimed that he would cross the Great Niagara Falls cycling on the tight rope. Hearing of this event many spectators from far and wide come to watch this spectacular feat. People were waiting with bated breath to watch him do this impossible feat. But somehow they had a belief that the trapeze artist would probably succeed. And that there would be no casualty.
Then the trapeze artist not only skillfully crossed to the other side but also cycled his way back to glory. There was thunderous applause celebrating the expertise and courage of the man. Then to the surprise of everyone, the artist invited a volunteer from the crowd to accompany him in his exploit again. He would carry the person in his cycle to and fro across the falls.

None came forward.

Until then everyone had so much belief in his ability and was convinced that he would succeed, but now no-one dared even to contemplate the risk involved. Suddenly from nowhere a little girl made her way out of the crowd and said “I will come with you.” The artist smiled. But there was a deathly silence and dagger looks in the eyes of the spectators. They said that the girl was insane and nothing less than crazy.

When they saw that neither relented they cursed and abused the trapeze artist for his irresponsible behavior in risking the life of another human being. It was so ironic to witness the scene: it was the same crowd that a few moments back was praising the artist.

The trapeze artist along with the little girl started the great crossing. The crowd was too shocked and staggered even to voice its displeasure. They were absolutely sure of the ghastly outcome of this adventure. But, to everyone’s great relief, the trapeze artist along with his little enthusiast crossed over safely. The crowd, though relieved, again criticized the trapeze artist.

Then the child looked at the artist and said “Papa, let’s go home.” The entire crowd was stunned. The child then said, “I have full trust in my father’s ability and I know that I am secure and safe in my Papa’s arms.”

Trust: we’re safe in Father’s arms. This is the essence of trust.
We are, and always will be.