Trusting God

Trusting God!

My text tonight is somewhat unusual when you think about trusting God. However, I find in this Psalm a resounding utterance of a God you can count on. A God you can trust. Close your eyes for a moment and just listen while I read to you the 19th Psalm. As I read, I want you to hang on to the words that grip your heart with the assurance that God is our sovereign King.

Psalms 19

19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

NIV

Okay, you can open your eyes again.

It amazes me sometimes how much we struggle to trust God. Over and over and over again God makes us some pretty wonderful promises in scripture. ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28).

("Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7).

(…in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6)

(Philippian 4:13)

On and on it goes – promise after promise, yet we struggle to trust God in even the simplest matters of our life.

God created you. He created you for His purpose. If even the heavens and nature declare His glory and demonstrate His handiwork, then you and I should be able to find assurance enough to trust Him.

I want to challenge you to trust God in 7 areas of your life.

I. Trust Him with your finances

a. Tithing

b. Managing your money (parable of talents)( Prov 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)

c. Lots of wealth makes a good person better and a bad person worse. (rich young man unwilling to sell all), (…the love of money…)

II. Trust Him in your business dealings

a. Proverbs 11 is one of many places that talks about dealing fairly with others in business. Some of the advice in chapter 11:

i. Don’t cheat your customers v. 1

ii. Let integrity be your guide v. 3

iii. Business thrives easier for the righteous v. 5

iv. Evil desires will trap you v. 6

v. Power is useless for a wicked business man v. 7

vi. When the righteous prosper people rejoice. When the wicked businessman dies the people shout for joy. (Martha) v. 10

vii. Wicked men earn deceptive wages, while the righteous earn a sure reward v. 18

viii. Stinginess leads to poverty v. 24 - 26

III. Trust Him in your occupation

a. Example of Nehemiah – King’s cupbearer becomes the architect that rebuilds Jerusalem and the hopes of a defeated people.

b. God has a purpose for you in your job. It’s not just to make a living for you and your family. It is to give Him glory. How can you glorify God in the job you have right now?

IV. Trust Him with your social relationships (friends)

a. Ps 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (the living bible says – hang around with sinners)