Trust is a pretty fragile thing. If we trust in the wrong doctor we will suffer physically. If we trust in the wrong automobile maker we may end up on the side of the road. If we trust in the wrong builder the roof might leak. But, what if we trust in the wrong person, idea, thing, or program for eternal life? Or how about misplacing our trust after we’ve been saved? You know, we believe in Jesus to give us eternal life, but we don’t trust Him for everyday living.

It’s amazing how I have to fight this trust battle all the time. Does that sound like you? God has rescued us through Jesus’ death and we are secure; we know we’re going to heaven one day. But when the stock market plunges 400 points we panic and question whether we’ll ever be able to pay the bills – financial ruin. Or, when someone abandons us we freak out because we just don’t know how we’re going to make it through another day without him or her in our lives. Or, we mess up big time and beat ourselves up thinking God can’t make anything beautiful out of all the ugliness we’ve created. Think about what God said to Judah who was quickly drifting away from Him:

“…Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5 ESV).

He goes on to describe him in verse 6 like a puny shrub in an unoccupied, salty wasteland. Those who trust in man and manmade inventions for security will not thrive. In fact, God states very clearly that they “shall not see any good.” Ouch, right?

But, then God tells them,

“Blessed is the man who trust in the LORD…” (Jeremiah 17:7 ESV).

In this case He doesn’t describe them as a puny shrub but as a vibrant, leafy, green, fruit bearing tree that is flourishing even in a drought because it is by a body of water that will nourish its roots. This is a beautiful picture of a believer’s life whose trust is continually in the Lord and not in self or things or other people or whatever.

I’m not saying this is a life of guaranteed ease and rainbows and unicorns. That’s just delusional thinking. What I’m saying is that when we keep our eyes on God He will not disappoint even when things go dark and scary. He is the One who sustains us in the crashes of life when everything is upside down, or when others aren’t playing by the rules and seem to be having a blast and we’re not. Remember, looks can be deceiving. The life of continual trust in God is the life God chooses to bless and causes to flourish.

Grace & Peace,