Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

As I prayed, read, and pondered the Word of God today, the phrase ‘Trust‘ kept echoing in my head and heart.  There is a saying in Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse,” which reads, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley” – essentially saying that even the best plans of mice and men often go awry.

Trust is a learned quality, and all of us trust someone or something.   We trust our wealth for security.   We trust our knowledge for guidance.  We trust our strength for protection.  We trust relationships for community.

In Matthew 6, the prayer pattern Jesus teaches emphasizes trust.  In verse 6, He gave us the proper perspective.   We are to set ourselves apart privately to seek God.  We are to close out the clutter and noise of life, and once we have come to quietness, we are to pray specifically to God.  Those are simple but direct prayers.  Remember, God gave us the language we use to petition Him, so He knows!

Then, as a further emphasis on Trust, He added the directive and revelation of verses 14-15 regarding total forgiveness.   Forgiveness is all about or anchored in Trust!   If we truly trust God, forgiveness is easy, but if we distrust people, it is difficult.

Matthew 6:19-34 doubles down on the need for Trust.   How can we face an uncertain future without a solid retirement plan?  We save, invest, horde, amass, and sacrifice so we will have ease in life’s sunset years.  BUT God suggests a different approach, which is only possible with complete consuming Trust!

In Matthew 7:7-8, we find the familiar, often-quoted passage of ‘Ask, Seek, Knock.’   That, too, is rooted in Trust.   To persistently Ask, Seek, and Knock requires Trust!

Then, a clincher is revealed in verse 12.  “Therefore, in ALL things, whatever you want people to do for you, so do for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Wow!   We call it the Golden Rule, yet we miss the Trust element.   This covers everything, including our attitudes, actions, and judgments.  That requires us to Trust God with everything, in everything, all the time!

If we develop that Trust, we become those who manifest Jesus in this present world.   Matthew 10:7-8 was their commission and ours.  Only out of Trust can we believe, and only out of Trust will we go.

Trust is the most essential element today.   Do we truly Trust?  There is an easy evaluation tool to know.   Listen to our words.   Evaluate our attitudes.   Consider our actions.   Do we Trust?  The proof is in the pudding!

May your level of trust soar to the pinnacle, enabling you to live Free!