In the main however, most of us are willing to trust even strangers to a certain point, but not beyond it. Some are vigilantly distrustful because they’ve been burned too many times, and to avoid getting hurt again, they build walls so as to prevent being violated. It can be well nigh impossible to gain such a one’s confidence!
And when a person fails the trust that others placed in them, it can be extremely difficult to gain it back!
This is why, whenever someone places their trust in me, I literally consider it a sacred trust. I will do anything (humanly possible) to maintain my trustworthiness, even if it means I take a hit for it (PSALM 15):
PSALM 15:4b
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change…
To build a trusting relationship two things have to happen:
The person that is being trusted has to prove themselves as a person of integrity, of good moral character, and a proven record for trustworthiness. Obviously these things won’t be determined overnight! It takes getting to know the person to greater and greater degrees.
The person who is placing their trust in another needs to cultivate this relationship with the other and by experience learn how far they can trust them. They may learn that they’ll be able to trust this person with keeping a secret, but maybe not their wallet, or even a copy of their house key!
It would be great if we could trust everyone equally, and without reservation, but being a race of sinners, and only some of them are redeemed, and among these, many are not sanctified to a level where they can be trusted implicitly, this simply is not the case.
To the same degree that you know a person and are confident in their integrity, character, and track record is the same degree that you can trust them (with the understanding that even the most trustworthy person can have a lapse in conduct).
Think about GOD: His integrity – flawless! His character – matchless! His track record – impeccable! Examine the Scriptures, underscore the promises He’s made with the understanding that the One we are dealing with is the absolute personification of Truth! He embodies the Truth as part of His very essence!
Being the GOD of Truth, He cannot lie! How’s that for trustworthiness!
Whereas I may disappoint you due to my limitations in resources and capabilities, GOD is All-powerful and All-knowing! Can He ever let you down?
At times, it very well might seem so, and do you know why that is?
ISAIAH 55:9
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
We don’t always understand why GOD lets certain things happen, when our prayers go unanswered (or even delayed to the point where we think it’s too late!). Yet given the preponderance of evidence when GOD does come through, faithfully, time and time again, on balance with those other times when it only appears He’s disappointed us, we can submit to GOD and by faith agree with His decision because “Father knows best”!
Why is it that some Christians have very little trouble trusting GOD, resting in His promises, and not be given over to worry or anxiety, while other Christians face an uphill struggle with faith, and wrestle with doubts and fears?
The former has a deep, intimate relationship with the GOD that they know – very well! And it’s likely that they’ve submitted to some severe trials that the LORD used to refine them, burn off weaknesses and strengthened their faith. The latter has a relationship that by comparison seems more like an acquaintance, and squirms (or attempts to!) their way out of trials.
Yet another consideration that’s important to understand:
The one who struggles in their faith, might have had it so rough in life, suffering one disappointment after another from everyone and their brother (and his dog!) that when it comes time to trust GOD – it’s a major hurdle!
GOD will work with such a person! He will prove Himself every time if that precious one will place even a mustard seed-sized faith in the Almighty (MATT 17:20; the mustard seed is among the tiniest seeds around)! The GOD Who created all things and holds this universe (plus a whole lot more!) can work wonders with such a tiny faith that will grow and prosper under His care!
Now for the clincher! How do we get to know GOD? It’s not like we can have a sit-down and converse face to Face with Him (that’s for His children in the world to come!). We get to know Him through the Word that He inspired by the Holy Spirit (1 PET 1:21) and through prayer (JUDE 1:20) and as we live this life of faith (2 PET 1:3-8).
Your relational knowledge of GOD is proportionate to the level of trust you’re willing to place in Him. You wouldn’t trust your life to a stranger, now would you? But what about your spouse or your dearest friend or your pastor? The difference of course is your degree of knowledge of these people.
JOB had an awesome relationship with GOD! He could say in truth “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (JOB 13:15)! Abraham who knew His Maker trusted that GOD would be able to raise up his son, Isaac from the dead (GEN 22:2,5; HEB 11:17-19)!
The father of a demon-possessed son may have witnessed the flawless track record of the incredible miracles the Messiah was performing, but he didn’t know Jesus personally – so his faith and doubts were a ‘mixed bag’ of sorts (MARK 9:24).
Let’s then grow in our knowledge of His Word, and deepen our prayer lives, and submit to whatever trials the LORD brings our way – they can make us better if we submit, or bitter if we don’t! Then we’ll discover how absolutely faithful our Abba Father truly is!
For more on this, check out: IN WHOM DO WE TRUST?
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