Placing our absolute confidence in God
We should firmly believe in God’s power, wisdom, and goodness. He can easily provide us the solutions we are looking for and the protection that we need.
By ALEJANDRO R. SINO CRUZ JR.
NO MAN is an island—people need help from others every now and then because of their limitations. In times of need, people try to find someone to rely on. They look for someone who can extend help to them especially when they are in dire situations. Many people place their confidence in those who have power and influence in the community, or those who have wealth or the necessary resources. However, it is sad to note that many people tend to forget in whom they should completely trust. They rely too much on their fellow human beings who also have their own limitations. Even if those they trust in have influence, political power, and wealth, still they could not provide the absolute solution to their problems and complete protection at all times.
The One Whom we should trust
It is of utmost necessity for us to deeply recognize in whom we should place our complete trust—the One Who has no limitations in what He can do; the One Who is all-powerful as to provide everything that we need in life. Thus, this is a vital question that should be answered: In whom should we completely trust?
Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Hebrew Christians, emphasized in whom we should place our absolute trust:
“Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith, [that is, by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22 Amplified Bible)
We should firmly believe in God’s power, wisdom, and goodness. The Almighty Father Who created all things is all-powerful, all-knowing, and is full of love and kindness. He can easily provide us the solutions we are looking for and the protection that we need. Therefore, we should draw near to the Lord God. In Him we should place our absolute trust and confidence.
However, we should be sure that we are among those who can fully trust that God will receive when they draw near to Him and “can look forward to the salvation God has promised”—those who were cleansed by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:22–23 Living Bible). Apostle Paul attests in Acts 20:28 (Lamsa) that the one cleansed and purchased by Christ’s blood is the Church Of Christ. But while membership in the Church Of Christ is essential for people to be certain that God will receive them and for them to be able to look forward to the salvation He promised, Apostle Paul reminded that when drawing near to the Almighty Father, there should be no room for doubt. Instead, trust and confidence in God’s power, wisdom, and goodness should be absolute.
Those who did not fully trust God
The ancient nation of Israel was God’s chosen people back then. They witnessed God’s almighty power that freed them from bondage in Egypt and delivered them from the wrath of the Pharaoh. However, they committed a grave sin against God. When they were already traveling in the wilderness towards the promised land, the thought of suffering hunger struck their hearts with doubt.
“Then they spoke against God, saying, ‘Can God prepare food [a table] in the desert [wilderness]? When he hit [struck] the rock, water poured out [gushed] and rivers flowed down. But can he give us bread also? Will he provide his people with meat?’” (Ps. 78:19–20 Expanded Bible)
They were aware of the goodness that God did for them, which included providing them with water that gushed out of the rock that was struck by Moses. But despite the fact that they witnessed God’s power, they still questioned His ability to provide them food. Instead of being confident of what God could do for them, they were doubtful of His ability. What was God’s reaction then?
“When the Lord heard them, he was very angry. His anger was like fire to the people of [A fire was ignited against] Jacob; his anger grew against the people of [rose up against] Israel. They had not believed [trusted; been faithful to] God and had not trusted [put confidence in] him to save them [give them victory].” (Ps. 78:21–22 EXB)
Therefore, it is wrong to harbor doubts about the Almighty God. He is angry with those who do not place confidence in Him, even if they are His chosen ones.
This is why the Church Of Christ in these last days holds on firmly to God’s power. And rightly so for He truly fulfilled His promises to His Messenger and to this Church that he preached and led. He promised that He will be with him and this Church, that He will strengthen and help him and this Church, and that He will hold him and this Church up and retain them with His victorious right hand (Isa. 41:9–10, 14 AMP). From the time of God’s Messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, when the Church started in the Philippines with only a few members, to the present time of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Almighty Father has blessed the Church with a parade of victories.
Proof of trust and confidence
Bearing witness to how the early Church Of Christ members proved their firm trust and confidence in God, Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica:
“We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you. All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom.” (II Thess. 1:4–5 The Message)
The first-century Christians manifested their absolute trust and confidence in God by throwing themselves totally into the venture of serving God (I Tim. 4:10 MSG). The members of the Church Of Christ in these last days have also immersed themselves in the intensive Church activities, proving their absolute trust and confidence in the Lord God. Like the early Christians, they have committed themselves to God’s teachings by upholding what the Church Administration teaches, such as following a discipline of worship, being devoted to giving voluntary offerings, and helping in the works of propagation that result in more people being added by God to the Church to be saved (Acts 2:42–47 MSG).
Therefore, true Christians will never doubt God’s power. Instead, even if they are engulfed by distress and dreadful situations, they will—with absolute confidence—call on the Lord God and cry to Him for help. They can expect that God will hear their prayers, rescue them, and bring them out into a place of safety (Ps. 18:6, 19 New World Translation).
This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine, April 2018 issue.
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