Knowing Who We Can Trust

What do we know?  Who can we trust? In what way can we be assured that something is what is claimed and someone will do for us what they promise in the moment?

These are significant questions and we hear stories that challenge us in the area of trust almost every day on the news.  I suppose that’s why I find the words from the Bible we will look at today comforting, particularly since there are many people through the centuries who have found them to be true.

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

Paul, who wrote these words was a faithful minister for Jesus Christ for much of His life.  He went through all kinds of challenges to his personal safety, his freedom, and the provision of his daily needs.  And yet, towards the end of his life, and actually while he was suffering in prison for doing the right thing, he made this bold statement.

Do we, like Paul, know Jesus in whom we have believed?  We know that even Jesus’ followers when He was here on earth struggled to hang on during hard times and deserted Him so it’s not like circumstances around us will always make this easy.

I recently read a bit of Hudson Taylor’s biography.  He is one of the most famous missionaries in China and was the founder of a group of missionaries who continue to go out across the earth even now, at great personal cost, because they too believe that Jesus Christ, and the claims He made are trustworthy in an fragile world during uncertain times.  Near the end of Taylor’s life he wrote these words:

“I have put God’s Word to the test.  Certainly it has never failed me.  I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplore following the guidance I have found it its directions.”

How about us?  Are we putting God’s Word to the test and living according to it’s principles and instructions, particularly when circumstances seem to challenge it all? Maybe we need to ask God to increase our faith.  Maybe it’s action we need to take based on things we already know.  Whatever it is, let’s ask God to help us live with this kind of trust today.

Loving God, help us to get to know and understand how faithful You are and how reliable all the things You have told us in Your Word are.  We want to entrust ourselves, all that we are and all that we may be going forward, into Your care.  Particularly, we want to do that with whatever we are facing today. You have the words of life we need and we want to be guided in light of those instructions.  Give us willing and obedient hearts to follow You today. Amen

Let’s learn from the experience, strength, and hope of those who have gone before us like Hudson Taylor and the Apostle Paul.  We’ll have a great day and a bright future if we do.