Trusting in the Lord

Brother Roger Decker

Lean Not to Your Own Understanding

The verses of Scripture in our text are very encouraging and uplifting. We all have trusted in friends, loved ones, relatives, or those whom we call close associations. Sometimes they have proven to be a disappointment, but no one has ever trusted in the Lord and been disappointed or defeated. Only when you lean to your own understanding and the arm of the flesh do you end up in a hopeless state. The Proverb writer said in verses 5-6 of our Scripture text: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways [not just in part of them, but in all your ways] acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Second Corinthians 1:8-10 reads: "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us."

Paul related that when he was in Asia, he was "pressed out of measure," or beyond human strength, insomuch that he despaired of his life. However, he put his trust in God, not in himself, and the Lord delivered him from so great a death. Paul had felt that the sentence of death was upon him, and because of that, it caused him to put his whole dependence on God.

Christian friend, you dare not trust in yourself. You cannot trust inyour own strength, your finances, oryour knowledge. You must realize that you have come this far byfaith, by trusting in the Lord. Youdare not trust in the arm of flesh; itwill prove to be disappointing.

I want you to read about Hezekiah preparing for battle in 2Chronicles 32:1-8: "After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.

"So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all thefountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there bemore with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us isthe Lord our God to help us, andto fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon thewords ofHezekiah king of Judah."

There are no more encouraging words to bring to people in a battle than "with us is the Lord our God tohelp us, and to fight our battles." Those words are very encouraging. Hezekiah put his confidence and trust in God, not in the arm of flesh.

"What Things Were Gain to Me, Those I Counted Loss for Christ"

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:1-7: "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, aPharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

Paul put before the reader his credentials from birth until Christ. He was a God-fearing, law observing Jew. His lineage was as pure as it could be. He also belonged to the most aristocratic tribe of the Jews, the tribe of Benjamin, which was an elite tribe. He let us know that his parents were not heathen and that he was not a proselyte. He then said he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and he retained his Hebrew tongue, or language.

Paul also had in his heart a burning zeal for what he thought was the cause that God would have him to carry out. His record in Judaism, he felt, was blameless. What did he say? ". . . touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Nevertheless, this entire honor had to be laid aside when he met Christ. Why was that? The ground before the Cross is all on one level. In other words, there are no big "I's" or little "you's" when you come to Jesus Christ. All human achievements are written off as nothing more than bad debts when one comes to Christ. Paul could not trust in his own achievements, but rather only in God.

Read again what Paul said in verse 7: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." There was a time when those things were gain to Paul. Those credentials belonged to the elite, and he had quite a name. He also had a name among the church; the church trembled to think of his name. However, after Paul's conversion, he said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." The same is true of each of us today. Anything that is gained or achieved for Christ is by trust in a very merciful God. You need to always keep that in mind. It is not gained by who you are or who you think you are.

Encouraging Promises

In the face of opposition, God is so good to His people. God is alwaysone step ahead of everything the enemy plans. Why is that? Though you may not know about the counsel that is going on, God does, and He can tell you what move to make next. The church doesnot operate by leaning on the arm of the flesh or she would have gone down a long time ago. In the past, some thought the work of God could not go on without them, but they found out that the work is not built on man; it is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and He is unmovable.

God can use any vessel who wholly consecrates his life to Him, whether that person is educated or uneducated. Some people sit around and wait for some spectacular move on God's part. It could be that God is waiting on you to get your house in order so that He can use you.

No one is so important that he has a monopoly on God. If you think that, your thinking is wrong; you have gotten off the right track. The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Romans, said in Romans 12:3, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Over the years, some have quit this or that to make a statement, yet the work of God has continued. Yes, sometimes it is more difficult, but when payday comes around, those who labor receive well from the Lord. Hebrews 6:10 says, "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." God will not forget your labor of love, as long as that labor is not self-centered or to put on a show.

The first part of Psalm 11:1 says, "In the Lord put I my trust." Saint, your trust should be in God, in His Word, and in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:11-12: "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." Saint of God, you have the Word of God to help you. Psalm 119:41-42 reads: "Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word."

Many encouraging promises are in the Word of God for those who trust in the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord are kept from fear. Isaiah 12:2 says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." We read in Hebrews 13:5-6: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and Iwill not fear what man shall do unto me." Those who put their trust in God have some very special promises in God's Word.

Those who put their trust in the Lord can be kept from falling by putting their confidence in God's Word, not in the arm of flesh or in their own knowledge, strength, or wisdom. They do not have to slip and slide around and fall back into the pit of sin. They can walk on dry ground, just as the children of Israel did. Psalm 37:31 reads, "The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." Why is that? Because the Law of his God is in his heart.

Those who put their trust in the Lord can enjoy perfect peace. Isaiah said in Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." He was not saying that you will be free from trouble, but you can have peace in the time of trouble. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." With all the tribulation, you can still have the peace of God in your soul. Though things are in turmoil and upsetting, you can have perfect peace down in your heart if you trust in the Lord.

God's Word Is Unfailing

Those who trust in the Lord are a happy people. Proverbs 16:20 says, "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." Though they have burdens and trials, in the midst of it all, those who trust in God are happy. You may say, "Well, I am happy because my team won the ball game." Yes, but that happiness is short-lived. The happiness that I am speaking of is based on trusting in the Lord. Is He your Savior, your Master, your Heavenly Father? You can trust in Him, and when you do, that will make you happy. Psalm 144:15 says, "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."

There are many reasons that you should trust in the Lord. The first one is that His Word is unfailing. Other people's word may fail, but God's Word cannot fail. Jesus said in Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." He is not competing with any other god, because He is the only God there is.

Psalm 102:25-28 reads: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee." God's Word is unfailing; He cannot fail.

When an individual comes to God seeking salvation, if he meets Bible conditions, confessing and forsaking and turning from sin withgodly sorrow, he will be saved. God's part of the covenant is true. Nowhere has man ever had any problem with God's part of the covenant. If there has been a problem, it has always been on an individual's part. God's part is true. When He says, "I will save you and deliver you," that is exactly what He means. When He says, "I will lift you up out of the miry clay," that is exactly what He will do.

God's Word is forever settled in Heaven. He has esteemed His Word above His name. Many people know about the name of Christ, but that knowledge does not do them any good unless they believe His Word. Knowing about His name does not change a person, but believing His Word does.

A God of Truth

The second reason you should trust in the Lord is that He cannot lie. It is impossible for Him to lie because He is a God of Truth. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Titus 1:1-2 reads: "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." God cannot even be tempted to lie; therefore, you can trust what He tells you in His Word.

The third reason you should trust in the Lord is that He will carry out what He says He will do. In Romans, Chapter 4, speaking of the promise given to Abraham and of how Abraham was going to be the father of many nations, Paul wrote in verses 20-21: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." What God says, He will do. He is God; there is no other. Paul, writing to the Philippians to encourage them in their stand, stated in Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Fourth, you should trust in the Lord because He is the way out of temptation. God will deliver you. You do not have to sin. Temptation is not sin, but yielding to temptation is sin. God will make a way of escape so that you do not have to yield to the temptation and commit sin, even in the most heated trials. You do not have to fail. The Lord will either deliver you out of it or give you the grace to bear it. First Corinthians 10:13 states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

You can live holy before God. You do not have to commit sin. At one time, each of us committed sin, but those who are born of God have ceased from sin. Those who have been born of God live holy lives, not in their own strength, but by the grace of Almighty God. This salvation is a common salvation, so the temptations you go through are also common; but God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear. With the temptation He will make a way to escape so that you may be able to resist it. That is holiness.

"He Careth for You"

The fifth reason you ought to trust in the Lord is that you can trust that He will not leave you in the heat of the trials. A friend might leave you and say, "Forget it. I am not hanging around you any longer. It seems that the more I hang around you, the more trouble I have." However, that is not so with the Lord. He will never leave you in the midst of a heated trial.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:14-18: "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also [in other words, beware of him]; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

The Lord will not leave you if you do not leave Him. When others have forsaken you, God will stand with you and deliver you. Paul said the Lord delivered him out of the mouth of the lion. He was not speaking of a literal lion; He was talking about the devil using people.

The sixth reason you can trust Him is that He cares for you. Though you have wandered away from Truth and it seems that you are a million miles from God, He cares for you. He does not like what you are doing, because He hates sin; yet Jesus died for the sinner.

Friend, God knows the battle you are in. You may feel that your life is in constant turmoil, but God cares; and His true people care. First Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." God cares for you individually, and He knows your problem. He knows your thoughts, your affections, and your desires.

When you do not feel well, God cares. If you do not have enough money to buy groceries or pay the bills, God cares. That is the reason He bids you in His Word to come toHim and talk to Him about those things. God has ways of working things out. He cares so much that Hesends His Word and His Holy Spirit to show you that He loves and cares for you. You need to cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Our text states in verses 5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." God wants you to trust in Him. In the heat of temptations or trials, you may feel that God is not going to move or that He has forgotten about you. Perhaps you have thought about turning to an alternative to try to work it out, but you should keep trusting in the Lord and keep leaning upon Him. He knows who you are, and He knows where you live. He knows everything about you, and He cares for you.

At times, when you are sick and in pain, you may think that no one even cares about your suffering, but God does. He cares because He loves you. He loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you. God showed His love to us by the death of His Son. All He asks you to do is trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all your ways, and then He will direct your paths.

(Cassette C-4246E)

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