New Year, New Opportunities

FaithWalkDaily January 7, 2009

Happy New Year beloved friends!

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. ~Ps 9:10

I've been struggling with serious issues of trust lately for a number of reasons. There is trouble with a family member, war across the ocean, identity theft in the news and Internet hackers trying to find a back door into our computers. Can we feel safe anywhere? Trust anyone?

As long as I can remember I've always been a trusting - and some would say naive - person. I never thought of myself as naive, only wanting to give others the benefit of the doubt. But such awful things have happened and the news is so outrageous these days that my innocence has been stolen and I no longer have the luxury of trusting without good reason. Cynicism says all are guilty until proven innocent.

The fact is, we live in a world of sin. We are all guilty before God. Can any of us say we're perfect? Maybe in a given moment but it won't last. There is only one we can really trust because He alone is perfect, He alone cannot sin, He alone can save us from ourselves. Only God can be trusted.

I can spend my days focusing on all the negative and fretting about safety, or I can focus on the One I trust. That puts it all into perspective for me. I'm putting my trust in God. I'm turning my lens to the One who has saved me, guides me, comforts me, loves me unconditionally, will never abandon me, and always knows what's best for me.

Every difficulty we face is an opportunity to grow in faith. Let's praise God for new opportunities to draw closer to Him in 2009, to learn more about Him through His word, and to become the people He's always intended us to be, for His glory.

O Lord our God, we put our trust in you. Though we live in troubled times in a cesspool of sin down here on planet earth, we know nothing happens without reason and there's nothing we can't face and conquer with You on our side. Thank You for not forsaking us though we bring You much grief, for giving us the benefit of the doubt despite our stumbles. You are merciful O God, we praise Your name! In You alone we trust. In Jesus' name, amen.