Believing And Trusting!

Believing and trusting are important for carrying us on through life. However, what and who we believe and trust in is important. We also ought to consider what elements of self might be involved in the believing and trusting that can play a role in how we view perceived outcomes. What our expectations are linked to is important to carefully and honestly evaluate.

David encouraged…
“(3) Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. (4) Delight yourself in the LORD, and HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.” ( Psalm 37:3-4 ESV)

Some would read David’s statement and be ready to run with it as if it were a “free hall pass” to go and pursue almost anything the HEART DESIRED. Others might consider his words and wonder about their truthfulness. We have all most likely had some desires that though they were not necessarily wrong, just didn’t work out for us.

Someone has said, “God cannot disappoint the desires that are of His own kindling or the hopes of His own raising.” [source: sentence sermons] I think therein lies the concept that can help us sort it all out. If our focus is merely on the desires we have “kindled”, we may see the light of some of those things flicker and go out. And if our hopes are only raised by our own estimation of things or that of others, we may be disappointed. Self -- especially due to our limited wisdom and view of the spectrum of life -- is the element that is most likely to cause us to misunderstand or misapply the above passage and throw our perspective off balance. However, if our expectations are based upon what God has clearly assured through His Word, and OUR DESIRE remains firmly fixed on His ultimate Will to work out, we will not be disappointed. Guarding against setting our expectations on our own self-centered desires, we are to learn to trust that God, in His broad view of life and eternity, has our best always in mind.

Paul encouraged…
“(1) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and WE REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. (3) More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces HOPE, (5) and HOPE DOES NOT PUT US TO SHAME, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ( Romans 5:1-5 ESV)

Some of the things Paul listed we may not necessarily desire. Nevertheless, he referred to experiences of this realm that contribute to our spiritual growth. As we continue to trust in the Lord and delight in our association with Him, we receive the assurance of a hope that is based not upon our personal expectations, but upon the faithfulness and wisdom of God. May we be very conscious of seeking the DESIRES of a GOD-CENTERED HEART. There will ultimately be no shame for having held onto the expectations of such a hope as that.

Have a great day BEFRIENDING THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Expectations