A few weeks ago in church we sang the hymn "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." I teared up when we sang the first verse and the chorus because I so badly want that childlike trust.
“‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord!’
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!”
I recently listened to a radio program on Moody, and the host interviewed a woman who was about to turn 104 years old. She had walked with the Lord all her life. In her old age she's been given the gift of reflection; she's been able to look back on her life and see all of the ways the Lord has been so faithful to her, even in the hard times.
Something she said really struck me: she said when she was a child, she never once woke up in the middle of the night anxious that her parents might not feed her the next day, or fearful that she might not have clothes to wear. In fact, she never had these thoughts at all because it was simply a given that her parents would care for her. So why then, she went on to ask, would we be afraid that our perfect heavenly Father won't care for and provide for us?
Anxiety and fear and worry are symptoms of a heart that doesn't trust God and doesn't take Him at His Word, and these are all symptoms I've had when life gets difficult. I have an entire Book of promises from an eternally faithful Promise Keeper, and yet I still struggle to trust. Oh, how sweet it would be to trust in Jesus and to take Him at His Word!
My prayer lately had been for childlike trust that chooses to stake everything on God's promises regardless of what my circumstances look like. Here are a few Scriptures that have really encouraged me on this journey. I hope they encourage you too:
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” - Matthew 7:11
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:13
“He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?” - Romans 8:32
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19
”I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:13-14”
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