Trust and Faith · God's Promises

Trust? In whom?

5 min read, approximately

1 Samuel 23:5 ASV
“And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”

Before setting sail, a sailor first checks the equipment aboard the ship, sees whether the weather, wind, and sea are suitable and favorable, and… if everything is in order, begins the voyage. But a sailor who neglects the details and leaves life to chance may suffer a great loss.

“Come now, you who say: Today and tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a city, spend a year there, trade, and make a profit, when you do not know what tomorrow will bring. For what is your life? It is certainly a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14)

Likewise, day after day we see opportunities, and yes, everything seems in our favor, just as the sailor sees that the wind and sea are suitable for sailing and everything is in order.

Often these opportunities are created by people who, encouraging us with words or pats on the back, inspire in us the desire to act.

However pleasant everything looks and however promising the road ahead, we must remain clearheaded, turn our hearts to God and ask him whether we should embark on this journey.

Can you give me an example?

Well, how about two?

• Before beginning his journey as Israel’s deliverer, Moses said to the Lord

“…If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:1) 

• Jesus Christ himself, before going through everything he knew would happen to him, said

“…My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b)

The city of Keilah and David

Now, the outlook for David seemed extremely ‘interesting’… Keilah had been delivered by his hand, so the city was in his debt!

David could hear the voices of Keilah’s citizens saying: ‘Long live our savior! Long live David! Come, David, and rule over us! Be our king!’

But before continuing the story, let us ask ourselves: Would we have stayed in Keilah or not?

David’s decision

Before getting carried away, David chose to disregard all these voices, close his ears to the city of Keilah, and ask the one who knows everything, the only living Lord, the supremely wise one:

“Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Jehovah, the God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver up me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver thee up.” (1 Samuel 23:11-12 ASV)

Had David trusted in people, today we would not be speaking of him, his psalms, or, much less, his exploits.

How many mistakes have we made by trusting too readily and placing ourselves in the hands of people who are unsure where they are going?

“A person’s heart plans their way, but the Lord directs their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)

“A person’s steps are ordered by the Lord, and he approves their way.” (Psalms 37:23)

“I am the vine, you are the branches; whoever remains in me and I in them bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the person who trusts in human beings, makes flesh their strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. They will be like a shrub in the desert and will not see when good comes, but will dwell in the dry places of the wilderness, in a deserted and uninhabited land. Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is the Lord. They will be like a tree planted beside the waters, sending its roots toward the stream, not troubled when heat comes, with leaves remaining green. In a year of drought it will not be distressed or cease bearing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

“I will give you understanding and teach you the way you should go; I will fix my eyes upon you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, without understanding, which must be restrained with halter and bridle, otherwise they will not come near you. Many sorrows will come to the wicked, but mercy surrounds the one who hopes in the Lord.” (Psalms 32:8-10)

For meditation

Today is a good day to draw near to the Lord and say:

“Lord, forgive us for turning our trust away from you…
Today we acknowledge your greatness, sovereignty, and wisdom…
Who is wiser than you?
Is there anyone on the face of the earth whose advice is better than yours?
Today, Lord, we return to you.
Please guide our steps, lead us, speak to us; we will listen and act…
For what good would it do to begin something without your guidance?
Even when everything looks favorable, we want you, Lord, to guide our boat so that we do not go astray.
Come, take the helm of our lives. We ask you in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

I invite you to stop by the Songbook and listen to the song ‘If Your Presence Does Not Go with Me’

May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!