“Trusting In God” Is An Active Decision
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 30, Psalm 25 (NIV)
(Josephine Loo, Chairperson of Property Management)
READ:
Psalm 25 (NIV)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. (v1, 2)
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (v4, 5)
OBSERVE:
From this Psalm, we know that the Psalmist David continued to trust in God even though he had experienced defeat and humiliation in the past. In verses 5 and 6, David continued to ask for God’s guidance through thick and thin. David recognised his past sins, and looked to God for mercy and love. He longed for God to guide and teach him. Knowing that God’s love and compassion cannot co-exist with sins and wrongdoings, David surrenders and seeks God to guide and rescue him.
I know that God loves us as his children and promises to save us: “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you” (v21).
APPLY:
The different seasons of life have shown me that GOD alone is in control, not because we pray (or not) for things to happen, but because GOD alone determines the outcome. We need to trust in the Lord, and lean on him. And through the teachings in the Bible, we will be able to grow in his image and love for each other.
I used to think that things happened to me because of the decisions I made. But on reading the Bible more closely, and learning from the many lessons within, it is becoming clearer to me that God dictates his ways and he has his plan for each one of us.
When I was younger, when things went according to plan, it was easy to forget that God’s hands were in them. It took some bad experiences for me to question myself and God as to why things did not happen according to my plan. Through God’s grace and leading, I have been reminded each time that everything happens according to his plan. Instead of relying on my own strength, I am reminded to think of the big picture, the one where God is the master painter and the ultimate composer.
When things take a turn for the worse, it is often easy to be negative or hurtful in our words and deeds. I too am a work-in-progress having these shortcomings. But looking to God and trusting him to teach and guide me; it is clear to me that I am eventually answerable to myself and ultimately to God.
DO:
- I will actively look to God for direction, in small or big things, easy or difficult decisions.
- I will reflect his ways being careful and truthful in my dealings with others.
- I will learn to trust in God for guidance at work or at home, especially in difficult circumstances.
- I will surrender control to Him, trusting that he will send his help and answer. I will bear in mind 1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man, God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word today. I pray that I will hide your Word in my heart and recognise the temptations that can lead me away from you. Keep me righteous, keep me pure in your sight and above all, help me to keep trusting in you always. Reveal to me your purposes for me, help me to apply your standards of grace and love. May your Spirit help me recognise His prompting, to guide and test me. Send your angels to protect and help me and I pray that your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
