David Pool

It’s no secret that our nation has experienced plummeting levels of trust over the past several years. It’s not difficult to see the reason: In every area there have been scandals and corruption in most every institution — scads of corporations, and a wide representation of public leaders. But you can’t live without placing trust somewhere. 

The reason that this question is important is because who you trust affects your life. And though life is filled with uncertainties, pitfalls and dangers, there is no way to move forward without trusting in something. But it takes a lot of discernment to know what authority is worth trusting. 

Some people see this dilemma and conclude that the only person worth trusting is themselves. But is that a good idea? Consider what one of the wisdom books in the Bible has to say. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight,” Proverbs 3:5-6.

It makes sense considering the central place that trust (faith) has in Christian orthodoxy. Trust, in the Christian sense, entails submission to God’s wisdom and his authority, even if we don’t get all our questions answered. When God sought to establish a people through whom he would bless the nations, he called Abraham to leave his country, his people and his own family without telling him where he was going. In effect, he just said, “Trust me. I will show you in time.” Abraham’s trust in the Lord was well-placed. 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction,” Proverbs 1:7.

This means that submitting to God, orienting one’s life under him and accepting his authority is the way to true understanding and to a life lived wisely. But to receive wisdom and knowledge means that we must trust in the Lord and seek his will. 

Jesus taught much the same thing in Matthew 7:24-27.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The point of all this is to simply say that there is someone who is worthy of our trust. He is our Lord and Savior. He knows each of us individually, even the number of the hairs on our heads! He has our best interest at heart. We know that because he gave his life on the cross to take away our sin that separates us from him. Further, he has all authority in the universe. No one has more authority than the Lord of life. Finally, he has never broken a promise. 

So, if you’re looking for someone in whom to trust with your life, with your direction, with your decisions, then look to Jesus Christ. He’s trustworthy. Ask him, and he will show you.

(David Pool is the senior pastor at Grace Point.)