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Look up “trust” (and maybe also “confidence” and “hope”) in a concordance, and some disturbing truths emerge from scripture, where we try to keep them buried…
Like…
Don’t put your trust in mortals, even princes (Ps 146:3).
Don’t trust in a friend, or companion (Mic 7:5).
Don’t rely on the strength of armies, horses, weapons, wealth, or even religious institutions or leaders (Ps 44:6; 62:10; Is 30:12-13; 31:1; Jer 7:4,14; 9:4; Amo 6:1; Hab 2:18; Mk 10:24; 1 Ti 6:17).
Don’t even entrust every confidential thing to your spouse (Mic 7:5)!
Don’t even trust in… yourself (2 Cor 1:9)!
Phew! That’s a lot of distrust!
Surely, we think, this don’t-trust instruction is only for special cases, special treacherous times. Surely other scriptures show “the other side of” this issue.
I do anyhow. So I look. And here’s what I find:
Other scriptures do show the value of friend, partner, spouse—such as…
“Two are better than one,” for several reasons (Eccl 4:9-12).
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Pro18:24). So if you’ve got trouble, go to a friend nearby rather than to a brother far away (Pro 27:10).
Family is a blessing, and children are an inheritance from the LORD, (Ps 127:3).
He who finds a wife finds a good thing (Pro 18:22).
Consulting many counselors helps determine a wise course (Pro 11:14; 15:22).
And the members of the body of Christ are designed to carry one another’s burdens, build one another up in truth, and grow together into the fullness of the Lord (references later).
But…
The sad truth is, my concordance search fails to show me a single scripture that says to put my trust in any human… being, agency, possession, gift, or power!
The warning rings clear: Don’t put your trust in any of them (if we don’t muffle it).
Jesus himself warned that “a person’s enemies are the members of his own household” (Mt 10:36) even the closest family members can be set against us (Mt 10:35), and Himself put no trust in any humans, seeing how the enemy misleads through even such close friends as Peter was to Him (Mt 16:23).
Humans, alas, are stumblers all, and all in many ways (James 3:2 ESV).
So anyone you lean on might (no, will) stumble—in more ways than one—and when they do, down you’ll crash! Even those who love you most can let you down…
…as we ourselves will also stumble, in many ways—no matter how much we try not to—and “let down” those who lean on us.
This failing need not be sin. People get sick, incapacitated, lose mental function, suffer paralyzing traumas, carry secret painful interior baggage…
So then, is there anyone you can always trust?
Do that biblical “trust” search again (you can start here), and see how much scripture says we can trust in God, and God alone.
Also consider the testimony of those who trusted in Him and found Him true, reliable, faithful (like the sampling that follows, below, of David’s testimonies).
So how shall we do? I think of a resolution I made long ago and recorded at the front of journal after journal:
“To look only to Him for my needs: physical, spiritual, and emotional; then seeing what He provides through man and/or circumstances as just that: Him providing.”
God uses people as well as circumstances, as conduits of supply and means to shape and bless. Greatly grateful I should be for each person He uses this way in my life. But I do err when I turn my focus from the Giver to the Means, and begin to think my good depends upon that person, whom He used to bless me.
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[Again, two posts in one, but presented this way so the following will follow the above.]
Reasons David gave for Trusting God,
Evidence of His faithful Presence and Supply(From 2 Samuel 22)
{Also good scriptural reasons “for my heart to find” for praising Him,
to add to the count toward ten thousand… }
David, who knew Him well and had experienced His power and deliverance, declared he could trust Him (2 Sa 22:3), for these reasons:
God, he testifies, proved to be all these things for him…
- his rock
- his fortress
- his deliverer
- the God of his strength
- his shield
- the horn (strength, power) of his salvation/deliverance
- his stronghold
- his refuge
- his Savior
- the One Who saves from violence.
He declared
- that calling upon the LORD enabled him to be saved from his enemies.
- that He [God] is [worthy] to be praised,
He testified that when he called upon God in his distress
- God heard (22:7)
- and He answered, even by natural phenomena…
- earthquake (22:8)
- and smoke
- and devouring fire (22:9),
- by “the wings of the winds” 22:11
- and dark canopies of thick cloud wherein he hid (22:12)
- and the thundering of His voice (22:13)
- and bolts of lightning (22:15)
- and even uncovering of the foundations of the world (22:16)
He goes on to say,
- “He sent from above,
- He took me, He drew me out of many waters.
- “He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me; For they were too strong for me.”
- When “they confronted me in the day of my calamity, [He] was my support.
- “He also brought me out into a broad place;”
- “He delivered me”
This is what He found His Lord God to be like:
- “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
- With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
- With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
- And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
He called Him
- “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
- “My shield and the horn of my salvation,
- “My stronghold and my refuge;
- “My Savior, [Who] save[s] me from violence.”
Summing it all up, David says,
- “God, His way [is] perfect;
- The word [promises] of the LORD [is] proven;
- He [is] a shield to all who trust in Him.
Sounds like a Friend I really can—and should—trust!
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Linked to
Very good and powerful post. There is so much truth in it. I especially like your resolution. I have recently begun the intentional habit of reading critically for this purpose. I not only read authors I agree with, but also those I don’t. I argue with both sides in my mind and often find that I agree with neither. It has given me lots of material for blogging. Now to find the time to express my thoughts.
Tereasa, that resolution has been the big answer in my life, to so many different issues and needs. You and I seem to be on the same page about weighing what we read and not just reading what we agree with. Some experiences can make you both less closed-minded and more discerning, can’t they? (Although that might sound like an oxymoron to some people.) I think of you often. Blessings to you!
It’s so important to have some degree of trust in other people – God made us to be realational beings, to be in community with one another – but, ultimately, He is the only One we can trust absolutely. Thank you for sharing this truth, Sylvia! Thank you also for these beautiful reasons, drawing me to praise Him! God bless you, friend!
So true, Mary, that God made us to be relational beings. And those human relationships can be such joy, and the means through which God supplies. I’m not advocating surly cynicism. Yet we all do stumble at some point and fall short of even being able to meet another’s deepest needs. And truly, I can’t find anywhere in the Bible where it tells us to *put our trust*/rest our hope in anyone or anything other than Him. If you find anyplace, let me know, because I could be missing something. Bottom line is this: We can trust God to meet our needs, including through other people. Blessings to you, friend!