A Song of Trust

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

This is a verse memorized as a teenager, so easy to call to mind, yet much more difficult to apply to real life. Would you agree?

            Back in February of this year, a circumstance in our family arose which redirected the normal course of my schedule for several months. Every outside ministry that I threw myself into the big middle of had to be set aside as I turned my attention toward home. It was a God-directed decision, but oh, it had its moments of struggle. Suddenly, much like it had when Covid came, life came to an unexpected halt, and I had to readjust to it. Part of the difficulty for me was watching life carry on as normal for everyone else, leaving me to watch from the sidelines. Have you found yourself in a similar place? Life is consistently notorious for throwing us curveballs.

            Along with my Bible reading, I enjoy reading a devotion from a few of my favorite classics. Streams in the Desert is one of those favorites. You can find it online here. One day, the topic focused on 1 Kings 12:24, “…this thing is from me.” God’s timing was perfect, as always. This little snippet of a verse packs a big punch when you investigate its context.

            King Solomon’s son had taken over the kingdom, but because of Solomon’s choice to abandon God’s ways, his son would only have the privilege to reign over two tribes rather than the entire kingdom of Israel. King Rehoboam decided to go to war with the separated tribes, but God sent a prophet to tell him to take his troops home. There was no use fighting God Himself. King Rehoboam took his troops home and accepted the kingdom given him.

            Inexplicably, the king that God placed over the ten tribes led his people into false idol worship to keep them from returning to the original kingdom. This was the judgment that God allowed because of Solomon’s worship of false gods. Rehoboam was reaping the seed that someone else sowed. It was not what he wanted. It was not what he planned. There was absolutely nothing he could do to change the situation. God’s Word to him was final; “this thing is from Me.”

            Have you ever found yourself in a situation entirely of someone else’s making, but the pieces had to be picked up anyway? Living in a world of sin means that there will be circumstances completely out of our control. These circumstances can be as small as being cut off in traffic or having to deal with a difficult person daily, to as large as having a major health issue that leads to the end of life. In all of these trials, God’s grace is not only sufficient, but His power enables His people to respond correctly. Here is where the “easier said than done” part comes in, does it not? In truth, we must choose to lean into His grace, accept His plan, and yield to His Spirit to respond with His power. It is not an automatic response, but one that is strengthened like a trained muscle.

            This is the training that Paul instructs for the older women to teach the younger women in Titus 2:4. That they may teach the young women to be sober…

The word sober comes from the Greek word, sóphronizó, and means to admonish to hold to one’s duty. Note that Paul says it must be taught, and part of teaching is modeling. Just like anything else that must be learned, it will take diligent effort, and then disciplined practice. As we put our discipline into practice, peace will reign in the face of the greatest tests.

The struggles from earlier this year prepared me much better for our move to Michigan. My current focus is turned toward home, and “sóphronizó” has been necessary for my family as we make the adjustments that a cross country move requires. I see now how God allowed me to strengthen my responses then in preparation for now. This thing was from Him, though I did not like it at the time. In the process, however, He taught me things that I can help and encourage others in. Here are just a few of the lessons learned:

1. Trusting Him requires knowing the One that I trust. The only place to learn of Him is in His Word. It requires effort to sit at His feet daily and consistently, but the reward far outweighs the effort. Even if you can only read or listen 5 minutes a day to start, make the intake of His Word a daily appointment. Philippians 3:10
2. Trust that every circumstance comes from His loving hands. Proverbs 3:5-7; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:35-39

“Fixing my heart on the blessed fact that what the Lord does is right and best, simply because He does it, I feel the anchor hold in the depths of His love-and no tempest is powerful enough to drive faith’s barque from these moorings.”

–Susannah Spurgeon

• Choose to glorify Him in every circumstance. This leaves no room for murmuring, shining, self-pity, or frustration. Psalm 28:6-7; 1 Corinthians 6:20
• Ask Him to open your eyes to His working and power around you and in you! 2 Kings 6:16-17; Ephesians 1:18-23
• Accept His plan in every situation, and lean into His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“In acceptance lieth peace.” –Elisabeth Elliot

• Determine to “do the next thing” that lies at hand. Psalm 5:7-9,11; Psalm 57:6-7
• Praise Him and give thanks in the situation. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for! 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Prayerfully, this will encourage someone in the middle of a current struggle or a storm coming in the future. Do let me know if there is any way that I can pray for you! Blessings to you, friends!

This is from Me,

It is for your sake.

This sorrow allowed

Was not for heartbreak.

I have set you aside

And I have a plan.

Trust Me now, child,

Your life is in My hand.

This hand knows the scars

Sin’s cruelty gives.

But great victory comes

Where trusting begins.

Erica Bolticoff