Trust

Work and Trust. — That was sound philosophy of Mahomet’s when the man said, “I have turned my camel loose, and trusted in providence.” “No,” answered he, “tie your camel up and then trust in providence.” Do the best you can and trust in God. God never meant that faith in him should be synonymous with sloth. Why, for the matter of that, if it is all God’s work, and that is to be the only consideration, there is no need for David to have a sling. Nay, there is not any need for David at all. He may go back, lie on his back in the middle of the field, and say, “God will do his work: he does not want me.” That is how fatalists would talk, but not how believers in God would act. They say, “God wills it, therefore I am going to do it” — not “God does it, and therefore there is nothing for me to do.” Nay, “Because God works by me, therefore I will work by his good hand upon me. He is putting strength into his feeble servant, and making use of me as his instrument, good for nothing tho I am apart from him. Now will I run to the battle with alacrity, and T will use my sling with the best skill I have, taking quiet, calm, deliberate aim at that monster’s brow, since I believe that God will guide the stone and accomplish his own end.”

The Wisdom of Trust in God. — The child playing on the deck does not understand the tremendous engine whose beat is the throbbing heart of the stately Atlantic liner, and yet all is safe; for the engineer, the captain and the pilot are in their places, and well know what is being done. Let not the child trouble itself about things too great for it. Leave you the discovery of doubtful causes to him whose understanding is infinite; and as for your self, be you still, and know that Jehovah is God. Unbelief misinterprets the ways of God; hasty judgment jumps at wrong conclusions about them; but the Lord knows his own thoughts. We are doubtful where we ought to be sure, and we are sure where we have no ground for certainty: thus we are always in the wrong. How should it be otherwise with us, since vain men would be wise, and yet he is born like a wild ass’s colt? We are hard to tame and to teach; but as for the Lord, “his way is perfect.”

“His thoughts are high, his love is wise,

His wounds a cure intend;
And though he does not always smile,
He loves unto the end.”

Trust the Key to Life’s Problem. — The world is a bleak house, a chill and empty corridor without God; and men are orphans, and life is hopeless and death is starless night, if Jesus is not known and loved. He who trusts his soul with Jesus has found the key of the great secret, the clue of the maze. Henceforth he shall see, in all that smiles or rages around him in our changeful weather, pledges of the love of the Father, tokens of the grace of the son, and witnesses of the work of the Holy Ghost.

Trust in God. — Whatever trials the believer has, he has a God to fly to. “Look,” said a poor woman to a lady who called to see her, “Look, ma’am, I’ll show you all I’m worth. Do you see that cupboard, ma’am? Look in.” The lady looked in, and saw nothing. “Do you see this cupboard?” said the woman. “Yes,” said the lady, “but there is nothing in it but a dry crust.” “Well,” continued the woman, “do you see this chest?” “Yes, I see it; but it is empty,” was the reply. “Well,” said she, “that is all I am worth, ma’am; but I have not a doubt or fear with regard to my temporal affairs. My God is so good that I can still live without doubts and fears.” She knew what it was to break through a troop and leap over a wall.

Trust and Service. — God never leaves true trust without work to do. It is not a presentation sword to be worn only on high days and holidays, neither is it like the old armor in the Tower of London, hung up to be looked at; no, true trust is for e very-day wear and use, and between here and heaven it will be tested in every conceivable way. That sword will snap if it be not a true Jerusalem blade, and that armor will be pierced if it be not of proof, able to endure the battle-axe of fierce temptation.