Imagine for a moment that a stranded motorist sees a beggar in the street, and says, “I’ll give you five dollars if you will go to the gasoline station down the next block, and bring me back a filled can of gas.” “But, Sir,” the beggar replied, “you just handed me ten dollars.” “I know. I trust you with it. It is the only change I have.” To trust a beggar when a ten dollar bill is the smallest bill the motorist has, and when he could walk there himself is not a strong degree of trust.
BUT—what if the motorist was almost broke, and had only a few dollars in his pocket, and had no credit cards…and he gave his last remaining money to the beggar, asking him to bring some gas back—would THAT be a greater degree of trust ?
Trusting God when things are going well may involve SOME faith, some trust. BUT—to trust God when things seem to be going against you—and believe that God is working it out for good—THAT requires a greater degree of trust. WHAT KIND OF TRUST IN GOD DO YOU HAVE ? Degrees of trust.
There has never been a more important time to make sure that our trust in the Lord is active and real. This is the Last Days, and much will be happening when the ONLY thing we can do is trust God ! SOME THINGS WE WILL NEED FAITH TO OVERCOME–
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
1. GOING THROUGH EASY TIMES PROVIDES NO REASON TO TRUST.
PLENTY OF FOOD AND MONEY GIVES NO LOGICAL REASON TO STEAL. BUT, WHEN THEY ARE NOT THERE, IT TESTS THE CHARACTER OF A PERSON.
EVEN IN A MARRIAGE, IT OFTEN TAKES DIFFICULT TIMES TO BRING 2 PEOPLE TO A CLOSE AND REAL TRUST OF ONE ANOTHER. IT COUNTS IN BOTH MATTERS OF TRUST AND LOVE. IN THAT WAY A MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE BRIDE (THE CHURCH) AND CHRIST.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
A. TRIALS HELP FAITH IN THE LORD TO GROW.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
B. TRIALS HELP THE CHRISTIAN TO LEARN TO TRUST AND APPRECIATE THE LORD MORE.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
C. THE ENTIRE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2. GOING THROUGH TOUGH TEMPTATIONS REQUIRES REAL TRUST IN GOD.
It also provides evidence for others to see that what we have is real and powerful. If we complain like the world, and seek the answers of the world we fail the Lord and will end up just like people in this world.
A. JOSEPH.
Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
B. JOB.
Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
C. THE 3 HEBREWS.
Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
3. ARE YOU READY TO TRUST GOD FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY BE AHEAD ?
A. TRUST FOR GOD TO WORK THROUGH YOU—REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE WORLD SAYS ABOUT YOU.
YOU have been trusted with the Gospel of your salvation and the responsibility to share it. You are unique. Not everyone understands it. Not everyone appreciates it. You are different from all unbelievers. You have had the Gospel written in your hearts and will one day be held accountable for that knowledge.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
What do we tell God about this priceless possession which God has given to us as a trust at the Judgment Seat ? Do we act like Adam did in the Garden of Eden blaming his sin on both God and Eve saying “Lord, the WIFE you gave me….” Or using others to take the blame for our failures ? “Lord, the CHILDREN you gave me…” “Lord, the HOUSE you gave me…” “Lord, the Walmart you built just 100 feet from my house…” What excuse will we use when God demands us to give an account of that for which we have been put in trust. God trusted you with it. What did you put ahead of it ?
B. LET’S TAKE EXTREME CASES OF TRUST. THE CASES WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY FACED IMMINENT DEATH.
“Yea, though I want through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…” (Psalm 23:4) How can anyone say that ? How can they have such absolute trust in God ?
There was a woman who was given a death sentence in Sudann because of her faith in Christ. She was give the choice to choose to go back to her previous religion but she refused to denounce Christ. She was just arrested again. She had two children and a husband. They did not become her excuses to denounce the Lord.
(1). PAUL.
2 Timothy. 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
(2). PETER.
2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.