Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  NKJV

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'”  NKJV

In these two passages, we have the words of David in Psalms and the words of Isaiah, and they reflect two different conditions and perspectives at a particular time in their lives.  Both passages address “fear” and “trust.” 

It is good that David could say, “In the time I am afraid, I will trust….”  But I would suggest that the perspective from which Isaiah spoke is superior when he says, “I will trust and not be afraid….”  I do not mean to diminish the faith or commitment of either of those men but seek to point out that there is the good and then the better in our faith relationship with God. 

Charles Spurgeon said, “All who get on board heaven’s train will arrive in heaven, but those who follow the mindset from which David spoke will ride ‘third class,’ while those who follow Isaiah will ride ‘first class.'”  Again, not to diminish the faith or commitment of either but to point out the difference in perspective.

Trust is not and will never be a product of ‘fear’; it is a preventative of ‘fear.’  I recall some years ago hearing an illustration that has benefited me numerous times in seasons of difficulty. 

There was a commercial airliner flying in a violent storm.  The passengers panicked, and even the flight attendants reached for the airbags.  The passengers were in a state of panic and terror.  Some were crying, some were cursing, and a few were praying.  Everyone was in a state of total disarray except one lady in 1st Class.  Someone noticed she was unmoved by the storm and asked WHY?  She calmly replied, “My husband is the pilot and is well qualified to get us to the airport safely.”  She Trusted!

Another story I have often related is one reportedly about Stonewall Jackson and his sister-in-law, who were crossing the river below Niagara Falls. In somewhat of a panic, his sister-in-law began to question the boatswain. Finally, Stonewall took her by the arm and said, “Unless you feel better qualified than the boatswain to ferry us across the river, sit down, be quiet, and TRUST HIM.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines TRUST – – Assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something and lists confidence and dependence as synonyms.  Isaiah said, “I will have assured reliance on the character, strength, and truth of the Almighty God and therefore will not be afraid.”  In the general usage of scripture, Faith is “Trusting in God’s Testimony.”  It is receiving all God has revealed and resting in that revelation.

Let me give you something to muse on.  Faith is not an Old Testament word.  It is used only twice in the Old Testament, but Trust is used over 140 times, yet Hebrews 11 credits many Old Testament characters with having faith and powerful faith.  The Old Testament does not speak of their faith but their trust.  Therefore, we understand that they were men and women who exhibited Complete Reliance on God, which affected their attitudes and actions.  That is a powerful revelation we all need to grasp, for it can be liberating.

Someone once told me, “God said it, so that makes it true.”  I said, “No, God said it because it is true.”  I am not trying to split hairs, but I believe there is a difference, and when we realize that what God says is true because it is true, we can Totally Trust what He says.  We must develop unrelenting confidence in the person, character, nature, power, and promises of God.  Trust is what we need to propel us to the realm of faith that moves mountains.

I want to address more on the matter of Trust but will pause here and pick up next time considering five separate words translated trust and hope to inspire confidence in each of our hearts.

God bless you richly as you venture forward into the unknown of this day!