God Wanted: Must Be Trustworthy
“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:2).
“Trust me!” How often have you heard that one? What goes through your mind when someone, especially a stranger, says that to you? Your mind probably searches for some reason why that person may be worthy of your confidence. What if an invisible person whom you’ve never met or heard says, “Trust me!” — What would you think? Where would you go for references?
The author of Psalm 91 had apparently learned how and why to trust the Lord. He gladly and confidently shares a 5-star reference for God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness.
To begin with, God provides shade and shelter for those who trust Him. We have several large trees in our yard. They provide shade for our house, and shelter for the birds who build their houses in them (and hide from the visiting hawks).
The Lord is a good place to hide when dangers lurk (V. 2), so the psalmist trusts Him. Why is God a good place to hide? His free offer of shelter includes a number of supporting benefits.
1. God can deliver His own from predators and pestilence (V. 3, a timely offer indeed).
2. The Lord has feathers under which to hide and faithfulness that acts like armor (V. 4).
3. He tells us not to be afraid of night terrors or daytime terrorists (V. 5).
4. Our fearlessness extends to viruses that don’t sleep at night and violence that doesn’t wait until dark (V. 6, including earthquakes, fires, and tempests — also timely).
5. Although the odds are outrageously against us, yet we will see the destruction of the wicked (Vv. 7 – 8).
6. The psalmist reminds us why we are so blessed: because we abide in the Lord (V. 9). He then further stresses God’s qualifications.
7. Your home is safe (V. 10).
8. God has His own supernatural army that is battle-ready 24/7 (Vv. 11 – 13) and able to make you sure-footed.
9. Again, the psalmist reminds us that the reason for God’s faithfulness to us is our faith in Him (V. 14).
10. God promises to answer our prayers, not just during the easy times, but also during the evil times, when it is easy to question God and doubt His faithfulness (V. 15).
11. The capstone of God’s promises is that He will not only care for us in this life — He will take care of us in the afterlife, when we can enjoy His salvation. Every moment from now to eternity is in His hands (V. 16).
When I was out of work for a few years, ironically, I taught clients how to craft the perfect, effective résumé. The key point was not to just list what you can do, but what you can do for the employer. How can you benefit the company and earn its trust? God not only shows what He can do; He demonstrates what He can do for you — if you trust Him!
You trust the sun to come up today because it always has.
You trust gravity to make leaves fall because it always has.
You trust geese to fly south because they always do.
You can trust the Creator of all these things to be faithful because He always is!
— Alan Allegra