TRUST – TO HAVE AND TO HOLD 

 
A couple of weeks ago we launched “the Psalm Challenge” for July. It is to read 5 Psalms a day for a month (there are 150). The Psalms of course are prayers, hymns and songs that cover every emotion and they are a rich source of reflection and inspiration each day. To cover them all in a month can be a roller coaster but also pays dividends.
We are a week in and one theme has struck me this time round (I have done it a few times before). And it’s a key issue in our public life as well as in our community life and relationships.
We elected a new Government at a time when trust in politicians and the political scene is at a low ebb.
We saw debates in General Synod where it was suggested from the floor that many did not trust the House of Bishops.
We discussed three aspects of our life at Christ Church at PCC last night. Welcome is about building trust with newcomers. Racial Justice is about building trust with members from diverse cultural heritage. Evangelism is about building trust sufficient that others will be open to hear the Good News.
Trust matters.
In essence we trust when we think someone is:

• Doing the right thing
• Doing it in the right way
• Being honest and open
• Reliable and there for us

• Doing the right thing
• Doing it in the right way
• Being honest and open
• Reliable and there for us

 
Secondly, we are reminded that he is faithful, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.(Ps 9:10) and that his love is never failing and endures for ever “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (Ps 13:5). His love comes with a promise of eternal salvation.
 
Thirdly, God has given us laws that we can trust to live lives worthy of him “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Ps 19:7).
 
Fourthly, we have a choice in what and whom we trust, God or things of the world “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”. (Ps 20:7) and “For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken”. (Ps 21:7)
 
Fifthly, for the Israelites trust in God was passed on through the generations “In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. (Ps 22:4)
 
Sixthly, trust in God ties up with a licence to bring life’s troubles to him and to be delivered from shame, much as we were created to be (“and they felt no shame” Gen 2:25) “To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. (Ps 22:5)
 
 Seventhly, trust is related to knowing the delight of the Lord “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” (Ps 22:8)
 
Eighthly, there is a claim that we are born to trust God, that it’s in our created DNA to do so “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. (Ps 22:9)
 
Ninthly, trust in anything other than God leads to judgement and anguish “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. (Ps 24:4) and “I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord”. (Ps 31:6)
 
Tenthly, trust is very closely linked to praise and worship, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him”. (Ps 28:7) and a deep personal relationship “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” (Ps 31:4)
 
Eleventh, trust is intrinsically linked to his holiness, “In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name”. (Ps 32:21)
 
Finally, his trustworthiness is an outworking of his love for us and for his creation which is his very being “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him”. (Ps 32:10)
 
Trust is sometimes difficult to find. It is often a long time to be earned. And can easily be lost in a rash moment or over a long time of neglect.
But if the Psalms (only one fifth of the way through so far!) tell us anything – the Lord is utterly trustworthy, steadfast in his hesed love, faithful and holy.
 
So, when we say “trust God”, we are not making some vain, hopeful stab in the dark, but affirming something of his nature.
 
Trust in God is a gift from him, for all to have. And when we need that trust most, we are called to hold onto that trust. For he is the only one that is ultimately trustworthy.
 
He keeps on working, even when we don’t see it.
 
He makes a way for us.
 
Even when we don’t feel it.
 
Trust in Him.
 
Amen
 
Doug