Is there ANYTHING You Can Believe In?
If you've ever watched the serial documentary "American Greed," you'll see true stories of people who put their trust in investors who claimed to greatly increase their savings. What happens, however, is this: The person entrusting the investor to make them a lot of money is scammed. The one entrusted with the money only gives an illusion of investing, while keeping the money and using money from other naïve victims to pay any dividends or expenses.
I've watched the program a number of times. When I do, invariably I'm saddened not only by the loss to these swindlers—sometimes a life's savings—but at the betrayal of trust. Even more so, I'm dismayed that people would trust their lives to an entirely wrong source.
We want to believe others. Trusting is part of our human makeup. It's natural to trust in something. However, in four decades of being a minister, I've seen firsthand that without spiritual guidance and objective counsel, people can put their trust in sources that are ultimately dangerous. Such misplaced trust may even lead to death.
Why? Because the human mind has the capacity and desire to trust, some can sadly fall for the lures and snares of predators.
Trust can become collective, as in the case of a nation bestowing trust in an ideology or a person. Consider this example: After World War I, a defeated and hopeless Germany turned to Adolf Hitler to lead them. He offered a salve to a wounded nation. Initially, Hitler helped restore an economy that was in ruins. The nation rallied.
But then the other shoe dropped. Hitler took advantage of that national trust and forced Germany into a racist and combative ideology that led to World War II. As a result of that betrayal, Germany ended up worse than after the first World War. Millions died and the country was left in ruins.
This brings us to some critical questions: What do we trust and who do we trust? What is the basis of that trust? How reliable are your sources? Are you trusting because of what others have said? What makes you trust what you commit to, who you marry, what you buy or what organization you may join? Are you really sure that you're making the best decision?
Trust can be a powerful and guiding tool that will lead to an abundant life. Accordingly, trust is a word often used in the Bible. Have you considered why? God has built into us a need to trust. But He gives us a critical choice as to whom and what to trust. It's up to us to make a decision to trust in what's right. And, what's right is what will result in long-term benefit for you and those you relate to.
But is there anything that's sure?
As I mentioned, the Bible contains hundreds of references to the word TRUST. Interestingly,the most notable synonym is FAITH. Consider that God is fully aware of this capacity in the human mind He created. God is the one who fulfills promises. God asks us to believe Him so that we understand and trust in the Source that gives us every good thing we would ever want.
Want a personal invitation? Here are but a few of the direct promises God makes to us: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust" (Psalm 18:2). In 1 Timothy 6:17 we read: "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."
These are just a couple of the awesome rewards for trusting in a right Source. When God says you can trust Him, that's an unbreakable promise.
There's much more. For a more comprehensive discussion about trust and faith, I invite you to read our Bible study aid You Can Have Living Faith. Our world is experiencing a crisis of faith. But you can have trust in what's certain, the presence of God Himself in your life. This represents the most reliable source that you can believe. Wouldn't you want that power in your life?
PS—I'm writing this from a ministerial conference in Estes Park, Colorado. Here we are talking about the most relevant aspects of how we serve those who are trusting in God and seeking answers to the biggest questions of life. We just completed a session about how we can best help those who are grieving. I'd like to share some of what we talked about with you next week, so please check back.
