Do I Trust God?

In the end, this is what it boils down to. Do I trust God? It is a fair question. Faith seeks the truthful answer. Am I willing to place my life in His hands? Am I going to stand on the promise that my Heavenly Father will do what He said He was going to do? Do I trust Him enough to do what He tells me to do whether I understand it or not? This is and always has been what God wants from His children.

When Jehovah directed Moses to lead the Israelite nation out of Egypt into the desert of Shur, they were completely dependent on God for everything. For three days they walked through the desert with no water. When they finally found water at Marah, it was bitter, non-consumable.

So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

- Exodus 15:24

Going without water for a long time and then finding a pool that was undrinkable would cause the average person to grumble some, but it was nothing God could not handle. He had already changed all the water in Egypt to blood and back again before their eyes. He had parted the waters of the Red Sea so they could walk through on dry ground. Was this really too big a problem for the Creator of heaven and earth?

The Lord showed Moses a tree and when he threw the tree into the water it changed so they could drink it. Why not put the pool closer so they would not have to walk so far without a drink? Why not have water in the pool that is drinkable to begin with? Why go through this ordeal of throwing a whole tree in the water when a touch from Moses' staff could have purified the water? What was Jehovah's message in all of this? "Trust me!"

After they got the water they needed food. The people grumbled.

The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

- Exodus 16:3

They had it all figured out, didn't they. They just knew God went to the trouble of sending the ten plagues on Egypt, drowning the Egyptian army and leading them across the desert just so He could starve them to death. What?

How slow we are to realize the merciful love of God. God provided manna. It simply fell from the sky. They didn't have to grow it. They didn't have to hunt it. All they had to do was go out and pick it up.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

- Exodus 16:4

He told the Israelites to only gather enough for one day because the next day He would provide for them again. "No one is to leave any of it until morning." Exodus 16:19. Did they trust Him? Did they follow His instructions? Did they only gather enough for one day like He said? No! They gathered extra just in case God couldn't handle providing for His children two days in a row. Overnight the manna spoiled and it was full of maggots the people had to throw it out.

Then on the sixth day God told them to gather enough for two days. The same manna he told them not to keep overnight before, now He was telling them to gather enough for two days. Yes, keep it overnight this time. He was not going to send food on the Sabbath, the day of rest. They gathered enough for two days and the manna did not spoil overnight. What was the point of this whole exercise? God was saying, "TRUST ME!"

How about it? Do you trust God? As we draw this study to a close it is time to be painfully honest with ourselves. God's kingdom is desperately in need of disciples who are truly FAITH-FULL. He doesn't need any more of the quasi-religious. The world is full of people like that. The church needs men and women who are sincerely seeking God, who trust the Father implicitly and stand on His precepts. Does your heart yearn to please Him? Will you answer the call? The following six statements are a test of faith. Read and consider each one carefully. Decide whether each one is a statement you can make in all good conscience.

• I TRUST GOD to forgive me for everything I have done. I also forgive myself.
• I TRUST GOD to forgive my brother for everything he has done. I also forgive my brother.
• I TRUST GOD'S ways over my own. I will obey Him even when things don't go my way.
• I TRUST GOD to set the standards and guidelines for all of my relationships.
• I TRUST GOD to place me wherever He wants me. I will be content with whatever circumstances He puts me in.
• I TRUST GOD with all that I am and all that I have. Every day, I place my life in His hands.

No matter what level of faith you are at right now, no matter what type of struggle you are going through, trust God. That's all you have to do. Trust God. Learn to trust Him more and more. You now know how to recognize where you are in your walk with God so you can visualize what it is going to take to become mature in your faith. It is my prayer that you will use this material first to improve your walk with God and secondly to assist others to grow in their faith.

And now this study has come to a close. Whenever I read a book like this one, I often find myself wishing I could speak with the author to ask questions. I want you to know that I am willing to make myself as available as I possibly can to help you reach new levels of faith. I have dedicated my life to the spiritual development of others and if there is anything I can do to help you grow closer to God I am more than happy to help.

God will bless you richly in your search for deeper faith. Trust God. Turn to His word for your answers. Do not give in to Satan's lies. Pray always and grow in your faith. I close with the question Jesus asked recorded in Luke 18:8:

I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”