TRUST IS A CHOICE AND AN ACTION

 

 

We tend to get discouraged when we are going through a trial and ask ourselves, “Am I trusting God.” Instead of looking towards God and His promises, we tend to look at the level of our feelings of trust. We are then doubly troubled, because we find that, at such times, our feelings are in shambles.

 

Instead, trusting God is primarily a choice, a looking away from our ability to God’s sufficiency. King Jehoshaphat had been confronted with such a choice. Three great armies were marching to destroy Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat and his people knew that they couldn’t withstand such an assault. Therefore, from all the towns of Judah, they came trembling to Jerusalem to call upon their only Hope. It wasn’t their feelings of joy and confidence that had prompted their prayers. Instead, they turned to Him in terror:

 

◦ “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

 

Despite what their fearful feelings had been telling them, in desperation, they

“with their little ones, their wives, and their children,” made a choice to turn to their God for help:

 

◦ And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel...in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15)

 

Upon hearing this prophecy, the people worshipped and praised God. They acted upon their choice to place their trust in God.

 

God can even act apart from our trust. He could have feed the multitudes without the few fish and loaves from His Apostles. However, Jesus wanted them to participate in His work, even though their contribution was less than minimal. Jesus didn’t need us when He created this world and now sustains it. Nor does He need us now to accomplish His purposes. Nevertheless, He requires us to walk with Him in obedience.

 

In the same way, even though placing our trust in God is primarily a decision, he requires us to walk in obedience with this decision. The Israelites therefore sang praises to their God:

 

◦ [Jehoshaphat] appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)

 

When the Israelites arrived at the overlook, they were only able to see the dead bodies of their enemies. God had performed the impossible.

 

We need not wait for a word from a prophet to decide to trust in the Lord. We already have His Word and promises of deliverance in the Scriptures.