Trust Me

“Do you trust Me?” Jesus’ question was as crucial to my soul’s preservation as the little Dutch boy’s finger in the hole of that leaky dike was in the storybook, Hans Brinker. [i]

I sniff, sniffed, dried my eyes, and thought Ugh! There I go doubting You again, Lord! In all my fervent praying (and stewing) over a painful, drawn-out situation beyond my ability to rectify, my faith had once again sprung a leak. And, once again, the Lord was merciful to hold back the floodwaters of doubt by poking His finger in the hole.

“Do you trust Me?” I had obviously missed that simple issue of faith—the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness. [ii] Why? Because I doubted His ability to orchestrate the complex logistics of my dilemma. How would He ever fix things? When would He fix them? Why would He fix them for me?

Doubt isn’t something new. We wrestle with it on occasion. When faced with challenges in life, uncertainties pop up willy-nilly like moles in a Whack-A-Mole game. Those uncertainties can foster questions, and questions, doubts. If unchecked, those doubts turn to unbelief (or a refusal to believe). Next thing you know, it’s our faith that’s been whacked.

Where would that leave us, but in the same predicament as the children of Israel in their wilderness journey to the promised land. An eleven-day trip—orchestrated by God for their protection—became 40 years of dramatic setbacks and crises. Despite His miraculous signs and wonders, faith never took root in them. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [iii] Our own wilderness journey is arduous enough as it is. We absolutely cannot afford to forfeit the “bounty that awaits God’s children” because we became buzzard bait. 

“Do you trust Me?” It's not out of the ordinary for Jesus to ask straightforward questions like this to trigger a response. Such was the case with Peter after he denied Him in the courtyard of the high priest. Three times Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?” Three times Simon Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, You know I love you.” Jesus knew that each yes confession would root and ground Peter deeper in His love. [iv]

Tradition says that Peter’s solid commitment to loving Jesus is what carried him through to his crucifixion upside down. I’m convinced that Jesus’ question playing inside Peter’s head fueled him to keep saying yes until the end of his pilgrimage when he finally got to experience the richest measure of love in God Himself. [v]

The same goes for trust. “Do you trust Me?” Every yes response in our hearts pushes through obstacles of doubt. Every confession of faith reinforces our determination to trust God and extends our roots deeper into His love. According to Hebrews 4, faith is absolute trust and confidence in His (God’s) power (that makes things happen), His wisdom (that determines when they happen), and His goodness (made manifest in everything He does). The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. [vi] 

Faith is designed to increase in the challenges of life. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. So, from here on when a why, when, or how tries to trip up my faith, Jesus’ question playing inside my head will prompt my response, “Yes I trust You!” [vii] 

[i] Hans Brinker Or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge 1865

[ii] Hebrews 4:2 AMP

[iii] Exodus 13:17–18; Hebrews 4; Joshua 5:6; Hebrews 3:19: Hebrews 3:12

[iv] John 21:15; Ephesians 3:16–19

[v][v] Ephesians 3:18–19 AMP

[vi] Hebrews 4:2 AMP; His power - Philippians 4:13; Luke 10:19; Ephesians 6:10; Ephesians 3:20; Isaiah 40:29-30. His wisdom – Romans 11:33; Isaiah 40:28; Isaiah 28:29; Isaiah 55:8; Psalm 19:20. His goodness – Psalm 145:9; Psalm 100:5; Exodus 34:6; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 25:8; Mark 10:18

[vii] 1 John 5:4