Trust is an implicit reliance on others. Whether it’s a Special Operations force, an Olympic relay race or a high performing business team, trust is a fundamental ingredient. It is the starting point for any meaningful relationship. Whether physical or emotional, to demonstrate trust in another is to put oneself in a vulnerable position. One of the purest forms of trust is that of a child in his father. If dad says, “I’ll catch you,” the child jumps without hesitation because there’s no need for another option. In an argument between children, the ultimate defense is, “Because my dad said so!”
It’s this kind of faith that is in view when Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3-4). Saving faith is a full faith. It is one without reservation that what God promises, He will do. When God says that He will forgive sins when you repent, saving faith trusts that promise and participates in it. When God says that the penalty for sins was paid by the Son, saving faith wholeheartedly trusts that it is true. There is no reservation “because the Father said so!”
After salvation, however, that kind of tacit trust gets challenged by the hardships of life. When you receive an unfavorable medical diagnosis, are hit with an unexpected financial burden or experience a significant loss, your trust is called into question. In simple terms the question is “will you or won’t you?” Here is David’s song when he was faced with that question.
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (Ps. 18:1–6)
It’s true that David declared God’s strength, acknowledged He is worthy to be praised and recounted that God heard his voice, however, notice the context in which that took place. It was when David needed a fortress, a deliverer and a rock. A fortress is for protection, a deliverer is necessary when you’re surrounded by enemies and a rock when everything around you is in flux. He described a scene in which he was being dragged down to the place of the dead! Those were the circumstances that resulted in David crying for help, and for which he praised God for salvation.
Sometimes we read the Bible with an overly poetic filter. We dumb it down to, “David was in a tight spot and he praised God when he made it out okay.” Yes, the “cords of death” is figurative, but the fact that David was being hunted by King Saul was real. That he was physically surrounded by armed soldiers was true. David was looking at death on every side. If ever there was a time to feel hopeless, that would be it! But in his distress, David called on a God that hears. He cried for help to a trustworthy God.
God is not a divine cheerleader. He is not just sending “good vibes” your way. He’s not there to give you a boost over an obstacle or to pat you on the back when you’re down. He is the God in the heavens that does all He pleases. He declares the end from the beginning from ancient times things not yet done, saying “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Is. 46:10).
He is your rock, your fortress and your deliverer in whom you can take refuge. You can trust Him to protect you, to snatch you out of overwhelming danger and is an immovable source of stability when everything around you is spinning out of control. He is the Almighty God. The only question left is “will you or won’t you?”
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. (Ps. 9:10)