Blessed is the Man who has made the Lord His Trust
Men live and die. All the while they place their confidence in someone or something. The Bible warns us that trusting in men is a snare (Prv 29:25), mostly because it draws us away from God (Zeph 3:2).
There is no shortage of promises made by men, enticing others to trust them for political office, for business partnership, and for entertainment options. The religions of the world have their representative priests, shamans, and gurus. They, too, wish to add adherents to their rigors and regimens. Trust wins power and prosperity for the trust-monger.
It may be his product or service, or wise advice that is promulgated as the solution to other peoples’ problems. Men specialize in what they can do to serve others…for profit. The need of people is endless because our world is fallen in sin. When men do not point you to Christ, they point you to vain idols (Ps 31:6).
Man’s greatest need is to be reconciled to God. Because the god of this world has blinded the minds of men (2 Cor 4:4), they trust in themselves to be their own problem solvers. They encourage one another, “You got this!” This is in accord with Satan’s temptation for them to be self-sufficient, following the sin of Adam (Gen 3:5).
Christians are those who failed to secure their solutions, in the myriad of options provided by men. Only Jesus can truly satisfy the deepest longing of our souls. When He has mercy upon one of His elect, the relationship of trust begins.
God’s Word repeatedly tells us to trust in the Lord, and every failure by men, serves to enhance the believer’s trust in Christ. Yahweh is a help and shield to those who find refuge in Him (Ps 115:9–11; 118:8–9). In fact, the Scriptures inform us that he who trusts in the Lord is blessed (Ps 40:4; 84:12).
First, he is blessed with the all-encompassing love of God (Ps 32:10), which casts out all fear (1 Jn 4:18) and never fails (1 Cor 13:8), for God wills and works for those who have committed their way to Him (Ps 37:5; Phil 2:13). It is the lovingkindness of the Most High that stabilizes kings (Ps 21:7; 26:1).
Second, he is blessed with confidence, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread (Ps 27:1)?” Knowing God is one’s strength and shield causes the heart to rejoice and sing (Ps 28:7; Is 12:2). The confident Christian does not fret because of evil doers, nor is he envious toward wrongdoers (Ps 37:1).
Third, the blessed man is liberated to do good. He cultivates faithfulness (Ps 37:3) and many will see him and fear the Lord (Ps 40:3). He does not give glory to the proud, who manipulate deliverance, using falsehoods (Ps 40:4). He is a simple man, who does not concern himself with the great matters of men (Ps 131:1). He knows it is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly (Prv 16:19). He finds good in God’s Word (Prv 16:20). In this, he prospers (Prv 28:25).
Fourth, the trust this blessed man has in the Lord is forever (Is 26:4). Men and idols who garner trust are temporary. Their boast and glory fade. Our eternal God does not change, being good, faithful and true.
Finally, the Lord is with the man who trusts in the God of Israel, as did Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18:7). It is written of him, “For he clung to Yahweh; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses (2 Kgs 18:6).” The blessed man does right in the sight of the Lord, removing all that would hinder his devotion to God. This is the perfect way of Christ, manifesting in the life of the saints.
Christian, are you trusting in the Lord with all your heart? Examine yourself to see if self-sufficiency or religion has led you to trust in yourself or others. Idols can be people or things. They vie to distract you from prayer and from time learning God’s Word.
Your confidence in Christ is related to how well you know Him, and what He has seen you through. With every crisis and conflict you will face, all the days of your life, you either turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only sure refuge, or you will turn away from His counsel and care. One thing remains: blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 26, 2022
