Your best life is to Trust God

For this week’s post, I would like to reprint a recent devotion from Galen Troyer. He is an elder here at the River Center Church. I feel that this is so germane to we are at, and Galen does a great job of encouraging us, so here it is.

"Your best life is to Trust God" by Galen Troyer

"TRUST in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; FEAR the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."   Prov.3: 5-8 

Several scriptures in the book of Proverbs speak of the fear of the Lord; that it is the beginning of wisdom, that it leads to life, etc.  The fear of the Lord is a good thing, it is a healthy fear and we embrace it.  There is another kind of fear that is not healthy - we are all familiar with that.  This kind of fear is often why people do irrational and perhaps even crazy things when under stress and in uncertain times.  We can find ourselves in this situation if we aren't certain that God can be trusted, and even when we know that He is trustworthy, it's possible to get caught up in fear and worry. 

God knows we need to be reminded and He is faithful even in reminding us.  There are many scriptures that encourage us to trust God. It is refreshing and challenging to read those scriptures.    Last Sunday, we heard a great message from Pastor Warren.  One of the things he reminded us of was that we have nothing to fear, no matter what comes our way; no matter what, we will thrive - thrive in the fact that we know who God is!

Because I trust God, I have no reason to be fearful or worry about anything.  I John  4: 18-19 reminds us "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. He who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us!"   It is good to reflect on the many ways God has shown, and continues to show, His love for us.  For sure, there are more ways than we can count.  Because we love Him, we trust Him.  He is our Father and cares personally for each of us.  He is always working for our good and even when we are unfaithful, He is always faithful!  Nothing and no one compares to Him!   He is great and mighty, kind, gentle and personal.  If you don't know Him personally, now would be a great time to get to know him.  He waits with open arms.

"...the more I see, the more I can't explain; how the one who set the world in place could even know my name and I'm amazed, so amazed.  How great You are, how small I am, how awesome is your mighty hand and I am captured by the wonder of it all.  I will offer up my praise with all my heart for all my days.....everywhere I look, I see your hand, why you would love someone like me I'll never understand.  I'm amazed, so amazed...how Great You Are..!"(How Great You Are -song by Phillips, Craig and Dean)

Be encouraged today in knowing that He cares for you, He has your back and you have Nothing to fear!

"Yes, indeed-God is my Salvation.  I TRUST, I won't be AFRAID. God - yes God! - is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!"  Joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation.  And as you do, you'll say, " Give thanks to God.  Call out his name.  Ask Him anything!  Shout to the nations, tell them what he's done, spread the news of his great reputation!  Sing praise songs to God.  He's done it all!  Let the whole earth know what He's done!  Raise the roof!  Sing your hearts out, O Zion!  The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel."  Is. 12: 2-6 (MSG)