The future stretches out before us, a single path fading into the mist of the unknown where it divides into multiple paths. It seems like it never ends but it does. At times the path seems clearer at least for a while before the mist descends hiding what the future holds again.
I am at that moment now where for a moment the path is clear and I know what the future holds, at least for the next seven months or so but after that the future is unclear, shrouded in mystery.
Whether we know what lies ahead or not the future fills us with a variety of emotions. We can be filled with anxiety or fear because of the unknown or be filled with hope knowing God has it all in control. We can be filled with anticipation or excitement knowing what lies ahead or just like the adventure of not knowing what lies ahead.
Whatever happens, whatever our circumstances we must learn to trust God and His promises.
HOW DO WE TRUST?
So how do we learn to trust God in every situation? Trust is a choice we have to make and persist with so it can grow with time. We must be patient as we learn to trust God. We can pray to God asking for help to trust Him more and we can start by trusting in small things and remembering how He has provided for us in the past.
The best way to grow our trust in God is to open the bible and get to know God’s character and His promises. The bible is where we discover God’s promises and learn His character. We’ll begin with God’s character.
GET TO KNOW GOD’S CHARACTER
There are many words that can be used to describe God’s character but there are a few that are used most in the bible. Ephesians 1:2 describes God as a loving Father, Mark 10:18 say God is good. God is gracious and compassionate according to Psalm 86:15. He is merciful (Lamentations 3:22-23), holy (1 Samuel 2:2), righteous (Romans 3:25-26). Our God is perfect (Matthew 5:48) and patient (Exodus 34:6). He is just (Isaiah 30:18) and loving (John 3:16). God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9) and truthful (Numbers 23:19). He is all-knowing, all-powerful (Psalm 139:7-10) and everywhere at once (Hebrews 4:13).
All these character traits help us to place our trust in God but what helps us more is knowing that our God never changes (Malachi 3:6). He is the same now as He was at the beginning and will be at the end. We can rely on God to be constant. It is easier to trust someone we know won’t change.
The bible reveals many promises made by God. While some have already been fulfilled, others are yet to happen. However, God’s unwavering faithfulness in keeping His past promises and His unchanging nature reassure us that He will fulfil all His promises.
So how do we trust God? We acknowledge His sovereignty. God is in control of everything even the things we don’t think He is in control of. He can work everything out for good as it says in Romans 8:28. Regardless of whether the future is unclear or is planned in detail we can trust God to be our guide in every step and every choice. Things may not happen as we want it to but if things aren’t good then God is still working.
GOD’S PROMISES
So, what does God promise? What promises has He fulfilled and what is yet to happen?
Let’s begin with the promises God has already fulfilled. He promised Abraham that he would become a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5) and He did. He promised to deliver Israel from the slavery of Egypt and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:7-10, 17) which He did. God promised to restore Israel from their exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10) and they were. God also promised that the Messiah would come (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14) and we know he did because he was Jesus.
These are just some of many promises God has fulfilled which can help us trust God more. But what about the promises He has yet to fulfil?
God promises that Jesus will return for a second time (John 14:3). He promises that He will establish His kingdom on the earth (Revelation 21:3-4). He promises the dead will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:52-54) and that we will all face final judgement (Revelation 20:11-15). God also promises eternal life for those who believe in Him and have received salvation (John 3:16).
These promises will all happen in the end times or after and some speculate we are in the end times already but if it not it’s believed to be soon. Of course, only God knows for sure and soon for Him could be hundreds of years for us. But it is not for us to worry about these unfulfilled promises our focus should be on God and the purposes He has designed for us – worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission.
These are just some of the promises God has fulfilled and will fulfil but there are more. In fact, there are a few that really depend on each person because for some people these promises have been fulfilled and not for others. These promises are that God will give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He promises His presence (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5), forgiveness (1 John 1:9), peace (Philippians 4:6-7). God promises His strength (Isaiah 40:29-31), guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5) and to provide for us (Philippians 4:19).
God promises much and He is faithful to fulfil should we trust in Him. We can trust in Him because we know who He is and what He has done for us. We can trust in His timing and His plans because we know they are for our good. God acts with intention; He has a reason for everything.
Last Sunday at church I heard Esther’s story. An orphaned girl raised by her uncle and chosen to become queen at a time when the Jews were threatened. It was no coincidence that she became queen at such a time, so loved by the king who would’ve have given her half his kingdom all she asked for was the safety of her people. Esther was born to become queen and save her people by speaking on their behalf.
Just like Esther we were born for the time and place we are in. We may not know what God has planned, where He will take us or what we will do. But we can trust God and hold on to our faith which is an unshakable foundation in an otherwise broken world. No matter what we face God is with us, leading us and protecting us. We may not always be aware of it, but we can trust in it.
I suggest you read Esther’s story for yourself. It’s one of the shorter bible books and can be read in under an hour. You could even do a study on it with the help of a commentary (I recommend the Enduring Word commentary).
Whatever you do let today be the day you start trusting God more even if it’s something small. Trust takes time and God will see any effort you make and be pleased. If something is worrying you, take it to God in prayer as many times as you need to. God is always waiting to hear from you.
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Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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