The faith of Abraham and the response of God must be reiterated frequently. Abraham is deemed the father of the faith. Thus there was a unique element to Abraham’s faith. He was not the first to believe. Adam and Eve were believers.
The godly line of Seth, including Seth himself, was likely filled with believers. Enoch was in the line of Seth. He walked with God, thereby pleasing God. As a result, he was taken up so as not to see death. Noah was a light among the people and a herald of righteousness.
Thus, he was a man of faith. But Abraham stands out among the crowd as the father of the faith. Therefore, the events surrounding God’s delectation of Abraham as righteous must be retold to be appreciated.
Abraham had been told of Lot’s capture. Sodom had been raided and plundered. Upon hearing the news Abraham and his trained servants rise to the occasion to liberate Abraham’s nephew, Lot. Abraham divided his forces and defeated the enemy.
After the victory, the king of Sodom approaches Abraham and tells him to keep the goods but to release the people. But Abraham’s response is a response of faith. He chooses not to take the goods from the wicked King of Sodom.
Instead, he tells the king that he has promised the Lord not to take them so that the king cannot say he has made Abraham rich.
This decision on the part of Abraham is not a small part of the story. It is huge. Immediately after the encounter, the Bible says, “After these things…” (KJV, Gen. 15:1).
Thus, the narrative flows smoothly from Abraham’s refusal to Abraham’s blessing. Abraham refused the king’s money by faith and trusted in the Lord to provide.
Then the Bible says, “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen. 15:1).
God promised Abraham that He was Abraham’s reward. Next came the blessing of the promised son and the many descendants. Thus, Abraham’s trust in the Lord was rewarded.
It is essential to realize that God responds when the Christian trusts in Him. However, the most beneficial way of being convicted on the matter is through Scripture.
Trust leads to peace
Sometimes peace can be more of a nice thought than a reality. The disciples were far from peaceful when they were caught in the storm. Similarly, life’s circumstances tend to grip the mind and rob the Christian of peace.
But the Bible has guidance on how to remain in a state of peace rather than experience the highs and lows often experienced.
Scripture says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Is. 26:3).
It is clear that trust has depth to its meaning. Trust involves action. It involves more than saying, “I trust You, Lord.” This passage states plainly that trust is evidenced in a mind that is stayed upon God.
The promise is also stated clearly. The logical conclusion is easy to derive as well. If the Christian sets his mind upon God, he will be at peace. However, when the Christian is not at peace, he can know that his mind is not set correctly upon God.
The Bible means what it says, and the promises of God are sure.
God will give peace to the one Who trusts Him in all things. The trust required is evidenced in a mind set upon God. It is a mind that recognizes that no matter what happens, God is in control and working all things for good.
It is a mind that is set on the worship of God, not corruption.
Trust leads to mercy
One of the most remarkable attributes of God is undoubtedly God’s mercy. Man has sinned tremendously. Sin is not minor despite the thoughts of many that it is. Sin is an affront to a holy and righteous God.
He is pure and perfect. He deserves worship and adoration.
It is sin that opposes the character and nature of God. In heaven, man will see more clearly the heinousness of sin. He can get glimpses now, but while in it, he cannot see it entirely as it is. He is blinded by the sin that remains.
But the closer he gets to God, the more he starts to see the repulsiveness of sin.
But God knows, and He sees. At the same time, God responds to trust and bestows mercy. Scripture says, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about” (Ps. 32:10).
God loves to give mercy to he who trusts in Him.
Trust leads to rejoicing
Many Christians are lacking in joy. Joy is not a dispensable characteristic and is more than an emotional response. Joy is a state and can be a constant reality for the Christian. Feelings of happiness, peace, and satisfaction accompany it.
But it is deeper than worldly happiness. Instead, it is a deep satisfaction of the soul despite surrounding circumstances.
Joy is derived by looking upward, not horizontally. Thus, it comes by way of trusting in the Lord. Scripture says, “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee” (Ps. 5:11).
Again the Bible states, “For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name” (Ps. 33:21).
Clearly, there is a connection between trusting in the Lord and the joy of a Christian.
Trust leads to fulfillment
So often, the Christian seeks to take matters into his own hands. However, God desires to be involved in the Christian’s life. He is the Father and Jesus the elder Brother.
These titles are not stated for pointless reasons. They have meaning behind them, with roles that carry significant weight.
God desires the Christian to seek Him and commit his ways unto the Lord. The Bible says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Ps. 37:5).
Therefore, when a Christian has godly desires, he can commit them to the Lord and know that God will act.
Trust leads to happiness
While some Christians may want to avoid the word “happy,” there is no need to do such a thing. God wants the Christian to be happy, and it is okay to talk about it. He is a God Who does not respond to prayer for fish by giving a stone.
He is a God Who will wipe away tears in the new heavens and new earth. He is a God Who so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. The point has been made as clear as can be. God delights in the happiness of the Christian.
But it is also important to trust in the Lord, for Christian happiness flows down the avenue of trust. Scripture says, “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Prov. 16:20).
The happiness here comes through trust, which is equated with handling matters wisely, thus according to the Word of God.
Trust leads to security
Finally, trust also provides security. Did not trust secure the young boys when they were thrown into the fiery furnace? Did not trust move the hand of God when Daniel was in the lion’s Den? Did not trust equip David with courage to sling his stone at a monster’s head and cause his demise?
So will trust lead to safety for the Christian. Scripture says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25). Trust in the Lord.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for caring for me. Thank You for giving me joy and happiness as I trust in You. Help me to remember that when I trust in You, I will be safe and abide under the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.