Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining "Trusting God Is a Challenge," featuring New Testament verses.
Several private emails I received from readers about last week's study, "Trusting God Is a Challenge – Old Testament Verses," reinforced my suspicion that this is a top concern among believers. And, for me, too, since the challenges that prompted the study grew more intense this week, leading my husband to say, "Trust God, remember your Bible study." (That helped offload my anxiety about who is in control.)
If you missed last week's Vol. 294, please take five minutes to read it now. While the rest of us wait, we can listen to a favorite song of mine. I dedicate this music and haunting lyrics to those who have tragically lost a loved one, especially a child, or are caregivers to someone with a long-term, debilitating condition. Continually trusting God in those circumstances is most challenging. While listening to this song, know that the writer/composer was grieving after the sudden death of his five-year-old son while far from home on tour with his band.
Everyone caught up? Do you need some Kleenex? Now, let's dive into the New Testament "Trust Challenge."
Jesus taught that we must trust in Him because God values us.
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).
Trusting in God/Jesus is the foundation of our relationship with Him. We believe in Him because we trust in Him, and we trust in Him because we believe in Him:
Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me" (John 14:1).
That sounds so poetic and simple, but it is often ignored and even ridiculed in difficult situations, whether short-or long-term. Trusting in the Father and the Son takes effort!
Our level of faith, hope, and trust in Him is not supposed to be based on our circumstances. We are to trust Him because He is present and He is our God. He is always with us, even when we don't feel His presence. He is there when we are angry about what happened or did not happen.
I believe the challenge of trust is not to make it circumstantial. A verse just popped into my head, "Be still and know that I am God." However, thinking like that takes much practice. Humans are circumstantial beings. We celebrate or grieve over events. We love God more when He is good to us. But He also wants us to trust Him in the worst of times because He is there. He knows what we are going through.
Our household "mantra" is "Jesus, I trust in You." Say it when you're feeling low. Say it when life is joyful. Say it amid uncertainty. That prayer is one to live by; it will make you stronger and trust in Him more every day. Practice trusting God like you would any skill and repeat: "Jesus, I trust in You!"
And because "Jesus, I trust in You" will now be embedded in your faith walk, let's move to a verse written by the apostle John:
"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us" (1 John 5:14).
The key phrase is "according to His will." But how do we know if something we are trusting Him to resolve or to make happen is "according to His will?" We will know. He gives us signs. I believe He makes it obvious. Stuff falls into place. Problems are solved, and the person you love gets better. Something you were so anxious about does not happen, and you wonder why you spent so much emotional bandwidth consumed by the issue. Then praise God and tell Him how much you appreciate what He has done for you. Talk to Him about it.
But what if your problems or situations are not resolved? That is when prayer warriors will help uplift those who need assistance. Or become a prayer warrior yourself to help others whose trust in God has been weakened by life's events. When you or someone you love is weak in faith and trust, due to adversity, read them the following verse:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Again, the caveat "according to His purpose," whereas earlier we read "according to His will." Trusting God often runs into the brick wall of "according to His purpose" or "will." That concept is difficult to grasp. We want something to happen or change so badly, but because of God's 360-degree view of our past, present, and future, it isn't.
Know that God has placed you where you need to be. And sometimes that is not an easy place. Still, one must trust in that all-encompassing concept "all things work together for good…" The good, the bad, and the tragic all work together. That is why we trust God when it is difficult to do so. He is present, and knowing that is uplifting in itself.
A famous verse of faith and trust is from St. Paul, who experienced his share of trauma:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).
That passage screams "trust me." And why must we trust in Him? Jesus answered that question when speaking with Martha shortly before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead:
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26).
We trust in Jesus, not just for our earthly existence with its ups and downs, but for the promise of spending eternal life with Him. I want that! (When it is my time, of course.)
Trust in Him with faith and hope, despite all the challenges and pain. Always keep your eye on the prize — eternal life with Jesus. That makes trusting in Him through the daily grind much easier.
Amen to that!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2," reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can join our new effort in Orlando, Florida. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com