Faith Stressors & Trust Passages

Church, how are you doing?  I know that for some of you, the news of my departure is still settling in.  You are probably going through different emotions and have many questions.  I’m sorry to have put you through that.  This transition has been a fresh opportunity for my family and me to put our trust in the Lord, and to follow him as he leads us.  The same is true for all of you.  Yes, it is true that the future is uncertain, but when is the future ever certain?  None of us know what will happen tomorrow.  We don’t even know if we will be alive tomorrow, but the Lord knows and that is enough.  He is sovereign and in control, and more than that, he loves us and cares for us -- his children, his sheep.  So, church, I encourage you to not waste this opportunity to grow in faith by trusting in God.  Trust in him for this season, as you have done for many seasons in the past.  Consider these well-known ‘trust’ passages, which begins with my all-time favourite:

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

5         Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

                   and lean not on your own understanding;

6         in all your ways submit to him,

                   and he will make your paths straight. 

(2 Kings 18:5)  

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.

(Psalm 4:5)

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous 

        and trust in the LORD.

(Psalm 9:10)      

Those who know your name trust in you,

       for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

(Psalm 20:7)      

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

      but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

(Psalm 25:1)

In you, LORD my God,

                   I put my trust.

I trust in you;

                   do not let me be put to shame,

                   nor let my enemies triumph over me.

(Psalm 31:14)    

But I trust in you, LORD;

       I say, “You are my God.”

(Psalm 37:5)

Commit your way to the LORD;

     trust in him and he will do this:

(Psalm 62:8)

      Trust in him at all times, you people;

                   pour out your hearts to him,

                   for God is our refuge.

(Psalm 118:8)

    It is better to take refuge in the LORD

                   than to trust in humans.

9   It is better to take refuge in the LORD

                   than to trust in princes.

(Isaiah 12:2)

        Surely God is my salvation;

                   I will trust and not be afraid.

          The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense;

                   he has become my salvation.”

Church, our God is sovereign, and nothing occurs without him ordaining it.  The future is secure because God is God, and his plans never fail.  Yes, there will be uncertainties; and yes, some questions may never be answered; and yes, you may feel hurt, but do not allow these things to weaken your faith, rather use these challenges as opportunities to grow your faith.  These faith challenges, these faith stressors, will reveal both the good, the bad, and the ugly about what’s really in our hearts.  Keep your hearts sensitive to the Holy Spirit; be aware of the way you are responding and thinking and acting and speaking.  Ask yourself if you are acting in a manner worthy of the Lord -- in a manner that reflects that you trust in God’s plan.  Do not allow these uncertain times to be a cause for you to sin.  Let’s honour the Lord and have pure hearts as we move forward together.

With love,

Soli Deo Gloria
Pastor Peter