By: Johannes Deysel
One team-building exercise that I find less enjoyable is the well-known trust fall. This activity seems to be a recurring feature in various training events I attend, like it is following me around. The whole objective of the trust fall involves falling backward, trusting that the person behind you will catch you. Have you ever participated in such an exercise? It can be a rather nerve-wracking experience, especially when the catcher is a stranger and appears somewhat uncertain about their ability to complete the task at hand. Faced with such a situation, one might wonder: What course of action should be taken? Truth be told, I have opted out of a few of these activities.
Trust can be tricky – especially if the other person is a stranger. Similarly, as Christians, we may encounter challenges in placing our trust in God, often stemming from not knowing Him well enough. Regrettably, this hesitation can lead us to opt out from our calling, purpose, and alignment with His will. This begs the question: How can one establish trust in God?
Understanding the Worthy Nature of God.
The foundation of trust lies in understanding the one we are placing our trust in. God is inherently trustworthy. Unlike human beings who may falter or deceive, God is unwavering in His truthfulness and steadfast in fulfilling His promises (Num 23:19; Ps 89:34). His plans are perfect, holy, and righteous, and He aligns all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). To trust God, we must first come to know Him through His Word, discovering the depths of His character that make Him worthy of our unwavering trust.
Learning from His Faithfulness in History.
As believers, we are not left without evidence of God’s trustworthiness, the scripture that is also historical testifies that God fulfils His promises (1 Kgs 8:56). The pages of scripture shout and proclaim His faithfulness, and history itself validates the reliability of God’s Word. Moreover, our personal experiences bear witness to His trustworthiness, as we encounter His grace, faithfulness, and goodness in our lives (Ps 100:5; Isa 25:1). Reflecting on scriptures like these deepens our trust in the One who has proven Himself time and again.
The Only Sensible Alternative.
Who or what else can we trust? Should we place our trust in ourselves or in fallible human beings? The answer becomes clear when we compare the limitations of human wisdom and reliability with the attributes of God – all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful. Choosing to trust in God is not just a logical decision; it is the only sensible alternative. If we are honest, we will admit that our finite understanding is no match for the boundless wisdom and love of our Creator.
Knowing God to Trust God.
Here is the bottom line: trust follows knowledge. The more we know God, the more we can trust Him. God has not made Himself elusive – as we navigate the profound journey of getting to know Him, God, in His graciousness, unveils Himself through the pages of His Word. We will find pages that is rich with invitations into a relationship of trust and intimacy. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, promising that as we submit to Him, He will straighten our paths. Psalm 9:10 echoes the sentiment that those who know God’s name put their trust in Him, emphasising His faithfulness to those who seek Him. In Jeremiah 29:13, the promise resounds that wholehearted seekers will find the Lord. This seeking, this knowing, is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a path to eternal life, as beautifully stated in John 17:3. To be rooted in God’s Word is to unpack the layers of His character, and in doing so, our trust in Him deepens. It’s a transformative journey, a relational process where knowledge brings trust, and trust brings intimacy.
It is Worth it.
As we learn to trust God it is important to keep in mind that it is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. It is a grand journey of discovering His character, witnessing His faithfulness as it is demonstrated in history, seeing the limitations of alternatives, and what is most important is to get to know Him personally. As we go on this grand journey, guided by the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6, we find assurance and the necessary confidence that trusting in God is not only rational but also transformative.
In every step of this journey, let us echo the words found in Isaiah 12:2: “I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defence”. May our trust in God be an ever-growing flame, fuelled by the revelation of His character and the unwavering assurance of His promises.