Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart: Victory in surrender

Welcome to our exploration of what it means to fully trust in the Lord with all your heart. Life’s challenges, highs and lows can be overwhelming. In today’s journey, we will discover the profound peace and joy that comes from putting our faith in God amidst all the uncertainties of life as highlighted in Psalm 34:8 and Proverbs 16:20. These scriptures not only encourage us but also assure us of the blessings that accompany our trust in the Lord.

The Blessings of Trusting in the Lord Jesus

When you come across Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord [Jesus] is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”, you are invited to experience God’s goodness firsthand. It’s not about witnessing from a distance; it’s about engaging personally and fully with our faith in Jesus.

Similarly, Proverbs 16:20 tells us, “Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.” This isn’t just about prosperity in a financial sense. It encompasses peace, security, and wisdom that come from living a life aligned with God’s word. It’s also deeply rooted in having a intimate relationship with God and cultivating trust in Him and His teachings.

In both the verses the keyword or common word is ‘blessed’ – Both the verses end with ‘blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord”. How great is that! Simply trusting in the Lord makes you blessed or brings blessings.

‘Trust’ not a big ask from our loving Jesus. He only asks you to have faith in Him or trust Him completely to lead and guide your lives, and whoa – be blessed in return!

Hence ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart” isn’t just a cliche; it’s a lifestyle and means a whole lot. Have trust in Jesus, at all times. Trust His way, plan, will and trust Him to love, help, heal, teach, save you, always. When the going is easy and beautiful …trust in the Lord. Moreover, when the going gets tough…trust Him more.

Historical Witnesses of Trust

The Bible is replete with stories of individuals whose trust in God led to miraculous outcomes. These stories are not just ancient texts, but they are testimonies to the timeless truth that trusting in God can deliver us from even the most perilous situations.

1) Trust in the Lord with all your heart even when you don’t fully understand His ways

Abraham, the father of faith

Abraham, called the Father of Faith, received a seemingly impossible command from God: to leave his homeland and go to an unknown place that God would show him. Abraham trusted God without hesitation (even when he didn’t know where he was going). His faith or trust wasn’t passive; it was active, involving moving his entire family on the basis of a promise. This act of obedience and trust in the Lord led to the birth of a nation through which all the peoples of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-4).

When Abraham was blessed with Isaac, God tested His obedience. God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac as an offering. Did Abraham question God? No, not once. Only because He trusted in the Lord with all his heart. He had faith in God and His ways. Enroute to the sacrificial place, Isaac asked his dad about the sacrificial lamb, Abraham answered him, confidently, that God would provide for the sacrificial lamb. That’s trust. And don’t we know the story! God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son and instead provided for a ram for the offering. Of course, the sacrifice of Isaac was never God’s plan. God only wanted to test Abraham, his obedience and trust.

2) When the circumstances are devoid of hope, trust in the Lord Jesus to do the impossible.

Daniel’s Unwavering Commitment

Daniel’s story is a powerful testament to trusting in the Lord even in the face of extreme danger. When laws were manipulated to target his faith, Daniel continued to pray to God, despite knowing it could lead to his death. His trust was not disappointed, as God delivered him from death or the lions’ den.

Yes, God saved Daniel because he trusted him.  Read Daniel 6:23 – ‘The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God’. The verse clearly indicates that Daniel was saved and ‘not a scratch was found on him’ because he trusted God. This incredible deliverance demonstrated that faith in the Lord can hold firm even when circumstances seem utterly dire and impossible.

Blind Man’s Restoration

In the New Testament, we see trust in Jesus personified by the blind man at Bethsaida. This healing, recorded in Mark 8:22-26, not only restored physical sight but also illustrated spiritual faith. The blind man believed and trusted in Jesus. Lo! The blind man was healed miraculously and could see perfectly when he trusted Jesus to do the impossible. This story is a vivid reminder that sometimes, trust in the Lord requires us to step into the unknown, believing that we will be guided safely through. Miracles, wonders and the impossible happens when you trust in the Lord with all your heart.

3) Trust that God’s plan, way, timing and will is best for you

Joseph’s endurance and wait in trusting God’s way and plan

Take Joseph, for example, whose life was a rollercoaster of unforeseen tribulations and triumphs. Sold into slavery by his own brothers and later imprisoned on false charges, Joseph could have easily lost faith. His troubled journey was long. Yet, he trusted in the Lord’s plan, way and timing. His steadfast faith was rewarded when he eventually rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, saving many from famine. Joseph’s story (Genesis 37-50) is a powerful testament to the blessings that follow when we “Trust in the Lord” during our lowest and most challenging times.

Abraham’s long journey towards parenthood

Abraham and Sarah’s journey to parenthood is one of the most inspiring tales of trust in the Bible. Despite their advanced age, Abraham held onto God’s promise that he would father a nation. Genesis 15:6 underscores this incredible faith: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Years passed, and Sarah, who was barren, also stepped into this circle of trust when she conceived Isaac at 90 years, fulfilling God’s promise. Genesis 21:1-2 brings this miraculous event to life: “The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age (100 years) at the time of which God had spoken to him.” Their story is a profound testament to the power of trusting in God’s timing, way and promises, demonstrating that faith can indeed lead to miraculous outcomes, even when circumstances seem impossible.

The widow of Zarephath

The widow of Zarephath, who encountered the prophet Elijah during a severe famine, is a striking example of trust in God’s provision. She had only a handful of flour and a little oil left when Elijah asked her to make a small cake for him first. Trusting in the word of the Lord proclaimed by Elijah, she acted accordingly. The result was a miraculous provision that lasted throughout the entire period of drought (1 Kings 17:8-16). Her story teaches us that trusting in the Lord’s plan can lead to divine provision and sustenance even in the midst of severe lack.

How to Cultivate a Trusting Heart

Trust is not about passive waiting; it’s about active engagement with God’s word and presence. Here are practical ways you can cultivate a deeper trust in God. Trust in the Lord Jesus with all your heart by committing every decision, hope, and fear into God’s hands. Whether you’re facing decisions about your career, relationships, or future, let your first step always be towards seeking God’s will. Simple trust Jesus, His ways and timing. He knows what’s best for us. Jesus will not bring you to shame.

A) Daily Devotion

Spending time reading the Bible and in prayer is fundamental. As you understand more about God’s character and His promises, your trust in Him naturally strengthens. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of time but the quality of your focus during these moments. If you are a beginner with Bible reading, read the New Testament first. The book of Mathew onwards should be read. First read the New Testament completely 2-3 times over, then read the Old Testament of the Bible.

You are bound to trust the person you love. As we read the Bible or the word of God, we learn about the love of Jesus, His mercy and faithfulness and that in turn helps us love Him too. This love builds up our trust in Him.

B) Recall God’s Faithfulness

When facing new challenges, recall times when God has been faithful in the past. This builds your confidence in His promises and reassurance that He will not fail you now. Make a habit of jotting down these instances; they are your personal testimonies of His faithfulness.

C) Fellowship and Community

Connecting with fellow believers provides strength and perspective. Share your experiences or testimonies and listen to others’ stories of how trusting the Lord Jesus has made a difference in their lives. This not only encourages you but also builds a supportive network that reflects God’s love and care.

In embracing these practices, we find that trusting in the Lord becomes less about trying to muster personal courage and more about surrendering to God’s proven track record of faithfulness and love. In surrendering and trusting the Lord completely lies your victory, joy, success and peace.

Romans 10 :11 says – As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Remember that to trust in the Lord with all your heart is to walk a path marked by wisdom and blessings. It is a journey filled with challenges, but also with immense growth and joy. By trusting in the Lord, you open up your life to the limitless possibilities of God’s plan for you.

Let’s continue to taste and see that the Lord Jesus is good. Let’s make trusting in Him our first response, not our last resort. As you go through your week, consider one step you can take to deepen your trust in God. He is faithful, and He invites you to experience the fullness of His peace and blessings.