Learn to Trust God by Mrs. Iva F. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 24, 1913

Learn to Trust God

By Mrs. Iva F. Cady

It is interesting to note how much David has to say in the Psalms about trusting in the Lord, and of the blessings that come from trusting him. "O how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Ps. 31:19, 20. "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about." Ps. 32:10. "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." "Commit thy way unto the Lord." Ps. 37:3, 5.

But why should we trust in the Lord? — Because "in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Isa. 26:4. All things are possible with him; and since he has all might and power, he is able to deliver us from all evil and to give us just the help we need.

We may feel that we have been very sinful, and are so unworthy that it would be presumption to expect the Lord to protect and deliver us, and so we fail to trust him for help when surrounded with trials and difficulties. But the Lord knows that we cannot make ourselves any better without his help, any more than the Ethiopian can change his skin. He knows the weakness of the flesh, and pities us as a father pities his children. Over and over again he has told us that he is merciful, that he deals with us better than we deserve.

"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy." Micah 7:18. If we repent of our sins and confess them, he is faithful and just to forgive us. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to cover our sins, and the Lord has mercy upon us. Under those circumstances, he delights in exercising mercy toward us.

But in spite of all the evidence we have of the Lord's love and mercy, many find it easier to trust in man and to look only to him for help. If we trust in man and fear him instead of God, we shall surely be disappointed sooner or later. "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Ps. 146:3, 4. Man is a very helpless creature. He may have a high position in the world today, and tomorrow be fleeing for his life — a fugitive. He may today be in the bloom of health, and tomorrow be cold and still in death. For this reason, the Lord says: "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord;" but, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Then he makes this comparison: The man that trusts in man and makes flesh his arm "shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited;" while the man that trusts the Lord, "shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Jer. 17:5-8.

Peace and happiness also come as a direct result of trusting in the Lord, for we are then able to believe his promises, "and we know that all things work together for good" to us. Rom. 8:28. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isa. 26:3. So, let us strive to keep our mind, or thoughts, stayed on the Lord and his precious promises, and that will help us to trust him more. We shall not then murmur at Providence, for we shall know that a kind Heavenly Father, who loves us, is directing our paths (Prov. 3:6), and that he will permit only such trials to come to us as are needed to help us to develop a true Christian character, that we may be fitted to enter heaven.