Trusting

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in you salvation.

Psalm 13:5

I play a little game with my son where I ask him how much I love him. He replies in numbers. The joke is that he usually says, “zero” or “one.” Then I correct him with the craziest number I can make up, which is undoubtedly unscientific, followed by tickles and laughter. There is no number that can express quantitatively how much I love my children. Though we play silly games, my son knows that I love him. He believes it. He trusts me, he trusts in my unfailing love. 

Do you trust in God’s unfailing love? What does trust mean, anyway? The dictionary defines it as reliance or confidence. To trust is to depend, rely, believe, and hope.   

Guess what? It goes both ways. God trusts you. Hard to believe, right? Well, He does. Paul writes, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service (1 Timothy 1:12).  

But Paul was an Apostle, a minister, and I’m not. God did not preserve His Word so that we can read stories about power we can never have and hope we can never share. God’s Word endures because it is alive and active. Friend, He wants US experience His power, peace, hope, etc., just like Paul. And WE are appointed to His service, just like Paul. 

He considers you trustworthy; seek Him on your own journey through Scripture. He trusts you to step out in that leadership role that you don’t think you can do. He believes that He can love others through you. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:16). Paul knew he was writing for future believers, and that includes you. You can trust Him; He trusts you. He loves you, like a zubazillion megatrillion gobillion.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Julie Smith