THIKA METHODIST CHURCH SERVICE ON 10/05/2020

THEME: In God I/We Trust

Readings: Psalms 56;

Acts 7:55-60

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

John 14:1-14

We each day interact with statements like: ‘trust me it will be okay’; ‘trust my words’; ‘trust you me this has worked before’; ‘try this and you will see wonders’; ‘trust your heart dear/darling’; ‘am proud to say this will be a game changer’; ‘I assure you it won’t hurt’; or ‘you will be very safe in here’; etc. etc. I know some of us must have trusted such or other words and this the reason you are married, living at that place, you are a fearless driver and the list goes on. Then why do we doubt God when he has done it for us over and over to us. Can you trust and follow in his steps now?

Trust.  

What is trust?

Trust is to have faith in; to believe in the honesty and worth of. It also means a firm reliance; confident belief; faith.[i]

One person and God are stronger than a battalion put together! However, this is only possible when we are on Gods side and doing his will; working for him and his honor in the world.[ii] Christ did it amidst very hostile environment and today over two billion people are Christians. Some of us got to where we are because someone fought against retrogressive values to go to church, school, etc.   

Confidence in His word.

Though human inventions, planning, and advancements are very helpful and welcome in our contemporary world, we should not to be duped to believe that such human abilities will crown us with the blessings of meaningful and fruitful life. They have brought joy and comfort in past but it remains temporal. However, our trust in God has and will bring complete and fulfilling in life. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding”.[iii] (Proverbs 3:5).

To trust God wholly is to have total confidence and assurance that guides us to take the necessary actions, to serve, and leave our worries behind. We will completely put our faith in Him and confidently go to serve even when circumstances are conducive or not. God has not promised that when we trust him all will be smooth sailing; no! we will encounter same challenges like the rest, but we will not allow situations distract us from our focus and service. “He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”[iv] (Jeremiah 17:8)

Treasures in clay pots.

Treasures in those days were hidden in pots of clay, which were of little value, beauty and attraction to conceal their content. Though weak and unworthy, we are the treasure God chose to represent and make himself known to the whole world, “… to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”[v] (1corinthians 4:7). Brothers and sisters such choice overlooking our weaknesses and insufficiencies, God fulfills his divine mission and victory over all human establishments. We can confidently trust Christ to accompany us all through challenges even if they seem insurmountable. If we are willing to trust and glorify him, he will provide and supply us with all that we will need along the journey. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the son may bring glory to the farther. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” [vi](John 14:13-14)  

Fear is gone.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” [vii](Psalms 56:3-4).

Trusting in God is one way of dealing with fear. God reassures us that he will come to our rescue when we call to him. (Psalms 50:15, 91:15). We learn from him and realize that leaning on our understanding is short lived. The more we learn to Trust in God, our confidence is built in him and we know that he will take care of us beyond the earthly structures.

Trusting in the Lord is easier said than done. However, if we are to make trust real in our lives it must be practiced daily by:

• Constantly reminding ourselves and telling God who he is and what he has done to us and the world.
• Surrender all your heart and self to him. Always ask yourself, what is that part of me that I have not given to God? Then Prayerfully, and deliberately invite him to take over. Battle all other voices and reasons that deter you from total surrender to him.
• Listen to the voice of God through his word, prayer and fellowship with others. you cannot overcome by leaning in your own understanding. Only when you listen to him will you know why things are why they are and the way out[viii]. “… acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”[ix] (Proverbs 3:6)          

“In a culture of misplaced trusts, broken promises, and damaged lives, only Jesus is unshakable, unchangeable, unbreakable, and worthy of all our trust. He trusted the Father with all his heart, thus clearing for us the path for our salvation such that we too can trust God as our father. Through him, God offers healing, wisdom, and love to the world, if we only we acknowledge him in all our ways.”[x]