"The Trust Transition"

“The Trust Transition”

(Thanks to Karen for the title)

 

While I was on summer break from seminary a friend who was also preparing for ministry was home as well. Each of us was asked to bring a message at a Wednesday Bible Study/Prayer Meeting at our church. I don’t recall my topic but remember my friend talked about trusting the Lord and transitioning that trust into action. Whatever he said must have impacted me because a recurring theme of my preaching over the years has been putting faith to work (“…Faith without deeds is useless.”—James 2:20).

One of my favorite passages is Psalm 37. I was first introduced to it while working at a Christian camp in 1960 and still repeat part of it almost daily. In Verse 3 David says, “Trust in the Lord and do good….” (emphasis added). It’s taken me 56 years to see this as an Old Testament version of James 2:20! (I never claimed to be a fast learner!)

During his time as Lord Protector of England in the 1560’s Oliver Cromwell is reported to have said, “Trust in God and keep your powder dry.” This reflects the principle seen in James 2 and Psalm 37: God expects us to trust Him and act on that confidence. Biblical examples abound. In Exodus 17 Moses and Joshua trusted God to bring victory in battle but it only came as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ weary arms. In 1 Kings 18 Elijah depended on God to show Himself in Israel but to do so challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. And let’s look at Jesus: “He left his case in the hands of God…He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” (1 Peter 2:23-24, NLT).

A familiar hymn says in part, “…What He says we will do, where He sends we will go—Never fear, only trust and obey.” Have I ever stopped to think of how often I’ve sung this version of putting my faith into practice then failed to do so? I’ve just asked God to forgive me for not keeping this commitment. By His grace I’ll take it more seriously in my remaining days on earth before He calls me Home.

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan