Like most preachers, regardless of how long you preach, you never say everything that is on your mind or in your heart. We always feel that we’ve left something unsaid. We run out of time or energy, but never out of words. I wish I had time to re-cap Sunday’s sermons every Monday morning, but I don’t; nor do I believe everyone would be truly interested in reading it. However, every once in awhile it’s good for us to give some additional thought to a particular message. Yep, you guessed it–I’ve got one in mind.
Yesterday morning I preached from Isaiah 36:5. The title is taken directly from the verse–“On Whom Dost Thou Trust?”. That question was asked by Judah’s enemy, a foe rather than a friend. But, it is a question that needs to be asked, analyzed, and answered by all, because we are all accountable to God. Since it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6) it behooves us to give this some serious thought. So, who do you trust?
Sadly a lot of people have misplaced faith. They are confident in something other than God, something that will fail them in their hour of need. Some poor deluded souls have faith in faith, as though believing something will make it so. They are positive thinkers, always looking on the bright side and confident that their attitude will determine the outcome. The truth, however, is that nothing short of faith in God will suffice. It is God who accomplishes things, not faith. Faith is merely the means by which God operates. Only by trusting Him to fulfill His word can we expect to have our needs met. No subject is of greater importance than this. Faith in God if foundational to everything else.
Just think about how our life is affected by faith. Faith in God decides our destiny, defeats death, dissolves doubt, determines delight, dismisses dread, disposes deprivation and a thousand and one other things that affect us negatively. It affects every area of our life–body, soul, and spirit. Those who refuse to trust God displease Him, dishonor Him, deprive themselves of His blessings, and destroy their usefulness in the Kingdom of God. So, “on whom dost thou trust?”.
Those who are wise trust in the Triune God! You can trust the Father. He foresaw our needs before the foundation of the world. He promised and provided a means to rescue fallen man from his awful condition. He watches over all His children, provides their needs, corrects them when they are wrong, and prepares for them an everlasting inheritance. You can trust the Son. He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He forgives us of all our sin and adorns us in the robe of His righteousness. He is our great Intercessor at the throne of grace and our Advocate when we fail. You can trust the Holy Spirit. He quickened us when we were dead in our sins. He seals us with life eternal. He subdues our stubborn will, enlightens our mind, illuminates the darkness, helps us in our weakness, transforms us into the likeness of Christ, assures us when we are confused, sanctifies us wholly–spirit, soul and body.
You can trust God–the One who created and controls all things, and conquors every foe. You can trust Him Whose power is never diminished, supplies are never exhausted, love never wanes, kindness never lessens, faithfulness never fails, wisdom is always abundant, grace is always sufficent. You can trust Him–do you? Will you? It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.(Psalm 118:8). THINK ABOUT IT!
