Trust in God

I wonder what the situation in Bosnia will be like by the time you read this! The big news this morning is massive NATO retaliatory air raids against Bosnian Serb positions around Sarajavo for an attack on the city that killed some 37 people. That part of the world bleeds and bleeds; and the inhabitants hope and wait (though recently it seems they do more waiting than hoping any more). Some trust in diplomacy; others, in weapons. Some pin their hopes on the US, NATO and the UN; others, on countries with similar religious or ethnic constituents. Most can only wait and hope. Most know by now their cries get no further than the ears (and maybe the hearts) of the world.

What a contrast to that we find in the first three verses of today's lesson text! Notice the Lord's response to my patient waiting: He inclines and hears, He brings me out of the pit and the clay, He sets me on a rock and establishes my goings, He puts a new song in my heart. No wonder others looking on decide to trust in the Lord also! Indeed, "Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust"! "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).

We dare not miss the condition, though! We must hope patiently on the Lord. That means leaving aside our own conniving and scheming. That means living in absolute obedience to His will and ways. That means letting Him be our defender and vindicator. That means giving Him the opportunity to purify us through the "grim process" of...waiting!

All this makes me wonder again about the depth, endurance and overall quality of our waiting on the Lord. Why? Because I don't seem to see "many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD" becoming true in our lives. Can it possibly be that instead of "a city that is set on an hill" we are more "a candle...under a bushel"? Look, my friend. Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14,16). So welcome back to a key question: Does what the world see in me cause them to fear and glorify the Lord, and trust in Him?

It's time to trim our wicks! It's time to pour off the melted wax that stifles our flame! It's time to kick the bushel off! Let us purpose to daily guard our works lest they become the sort that hide the light of the Gospel. "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (2 Corinthians 4:3).

And to think my trust in the Lord is the hinge on which this door swings, or the foundation on which this house is built. As a young person, what about your life shouts from the house tops: "My trust is the Lord!"? I challenge you to daily manifest a heart leaning on the Everlasting All-wise One. Don't let the world's desperation and frenzy, worry and fretfulness contaminate you. So what about a job or an occupation or a career? What about marriage? What about security, peace and fulfillment? Live for the Lord and let Him address these issues for you. "But I would have you without carefulness" (1 Corinthians 7:32). "Therefore take no thought.... For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Matthew 6:31-33).

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