Fence Post Devotional
Trust
“Trust Me . . .” John 14:12 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).
It was the last time that Jesus would meet with His disciples. They are the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It is the night that Jesus will be betrayed into the hands of His enemies to be crucified.
Before leaving the Upper Room that night, Jesus promised His disciples that in whatever He said or did–whatever might happen–they could rest their whole weight of belief in Him, just as they had the Father. “Believe in God, believe also in Me” John 14:1.
That required trust. Trust is not always easy to come by. When someone says, “trust me,” red flags often go up: “why should I trust you?” “What have you done to earn my trust?”
And yet, that is exactly what Jesus is saying, “You can trust me.” In fact He makes known to the disciples that it is only by trust in Him that there is any future hope of eternal life. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” John 14:6.
In the 1860’s, Blondin, a professional tightrope walker, had successfully crossed Niagara Falls numerous times. Large crowds would gather to watch him accomplish this amazing feat–a 1,000-foot trip 160 feet above the raging waters. He not only walked across the falls, he also pushed a wheelbarrow across it.
People were amazed. One little boy in particular stared in amazement. After completing a crossing, Blondin looked at the boy and said, “Do you believe I could take a person across in a wheelbarrow without falling?” “Yes, sir. I really do.” “Well then, he said, “Get in, Son.”
That’s it! That is trust: to put our whole weight, mind, soul and hope in the hands of another. And that One, in whom we place ourselves in full and absolute trust is Jesus Christ, the Son of the everlasting God. In other words, “Get in the wheelbarrow!”
Trust is the key to any relationship: between friends, between spouses. Between business partners. But most of all, it is the cornerstone of our relationship to God. The Bible tells us to “trust in God.” If we cannot trust Him, who then can we trust?
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” (Psalm 40:4a).
goodbye to them, “My wish for you is that you might be happy?” Well, it is likely because happiness is temporary; it is passing. You can be happy one moment and sad the next. Happiness is also dependent upon circumstances, situations, feelings, physical and emotional needs.
In fact, joy is one of those spiritual qualities listed in the “Fruit of the Spirit” that Paul says is inherited by those who “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 22). Here is a good Biblical definition of joy . . .
Jesus’ promise, even and especially in trials and tribulations, says to us, “be of good cheer” (don’t give up hope) “I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)