Joy and Love Require Trust

I did a Google search for quotes on trust and found this one that I liked: “We’re never so vulnerable than when we trust someone – but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy.” It was attributed to Walter Anderson, and though I have no idea who he is I like what he said.

I think this quote can be applied to God. The Bible calls us to trust God for all that we need and to help us through difficult times. But trust must be earned and most people do not easily trust another, not even God, unless they have some basis for that trust. And even then we sometimes forget to trust those who have earned our trust.

God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and provided food and water for them in the desert. Throughout the Old Testament, God proved himself worthy of the Israelites trust, but still they often forgot or refused to trust Him. Many of the Israelites lost out on the goodness of the promised land because they forgot that they could trust God.

Like with the Israelites, God has proven himself worthy of my trust. He has delivered me from the bondage of depression and sin, just as He delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. He has always provided me with the necessities of life and more, just as He provided the Israelites with manna and water in the desert. He has offered to me the promised land of an abundant life, but sometimes I miss out on that abundant life because I forget to trust God for all the little details of my life.

But the most important part of trusting God brings us back to the Walter Anderson quote. It is only by trusting God for everything that we can experience true love and joy. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” We must trust in Him for our daily needs, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the promise of an abundant life here and now. When we do, we will experience true joy and love, as well as peace and hope for our future.

God has earned our trust by who He is and what He has done for us. “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.” Psalm 111:7. I pray for the wisdom to trust Him fully today and always.