“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 (ESV)

The older I get, the more I’m convinced that true trust is almost rarer than love.

We can say the words “I love you” to a friend or our spouse, but we struggle to live the words “I trust you” due to our pride and self-sufficiency.

It’s easier to profess feelings of adoration than it is to be unguarded in a relationship. It’s easy to enjoy companionship but hard not to worry about that same companion leaving us, betraying us, or going back on his or her word.

Some of us have known the sting of choosing to be vulnerable only to experience a break of trust. Some of us have grown thick-skinned along the way, and now we enter relationships with one eye on the exit, our hands clenching the steering wheel.

It’s exhausting to be so guarded. But let’s not sugarcoat this: Trustworthiness can be so rare as we walk with other sinful, broken pilgrims on this journey of life. What a relief it is that God’s Word tells honestly of the ways His faithful servants also experienced disappointment, betrayal and broken promises in the past.

Remember Joseph, betrayed by his brothers and left in Pharaoh’s dungeon (Genesis 37:28; Genesis 39:19-21)? Then there’s Paul, who was abandoned by Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). In fact, Jesus Himself knew the sting of abandonment from those He shared His life with most (Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 26:56b). He was no stranger to the lack of trustworthiness in our broken world, and neither were many other people whom God loved and included in the story of redemption.

Encountering betrayal from others on our journey won’t threaten to derail us if we grasp that God is the only One who is truly trustworthy. When we know the character of God, we won’t rely on feelings, empty promises or blind faith. We will go to the Word of God. We will consider who He always was and who He always will be; we will know Him.

“Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).

You see, we were meant to live in the confidence of knowing the trustworthiness of God. All through life, other companions may abandon us, disappoint us, or lead us down the wrong path — but not the Lord. He is the most trustworthy guide we could have as pilgrims on a long journey. He cannot lie, He can only do good, and He is bound by the lovingkindness that defines Him.

He guides and leads (Proverbs 3:5-6).
He sees and vindicates (Psalm 37:5-6).
He never abandons us (Hebrews 13:5).
He keeps every promise He has made to us (1 Kings 8:56).
He answers us in our distress (Psalm 20:1).
He is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).

How trustworthy our God is!

Are you banking on God’s grace? Is He your hope? Try recounting the ways He has been faithful as He’s promised. Stop to consider how trustworthy He’s been in times past, perhaps when you’ve not even realized or thanked Him for it. If you and I will take the time to write out the ways God’s been trustworthy to us, we, too, will echo this refrain from an old hymn:

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
and to take Him at His word,
just to rest upon His promise
and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
how I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Faithful Father, You alone are truly trustworthy; give us the grace to trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

To help you explore more about how God’s character and ways shape your walk with Christ, pick up a copy of Ruth Chou Simons’ newest book, Pilgrim.

When heartbreaking things happen to you or the people you love, it’s easy to think God doesn’t see what’s going on. But the book of Esther is proof that even when it seems like your world is crumbling, God has a plan He’s working out behind the scenes. Join our next study, Right Where You’re Supposed To Be: A Study of the Book of Esther, starting September 25 in the free First 5 mobile app. Click here to order your study guide.

ENGAGE

Learn more about Ruth’s ministry and role as the founder of GraceLaced at ruthchousimons.com.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).

Because God has proven Himself trustworthy in the past, we can trust Him with our future. In what ways have you experienced God’s trustworthiness in your own life? What confidence does that give you for the future? Share with us in the comments!

© 2023 by Ruth Chou Simons. All rights reserved.