Who can we trust?

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve most likely been hit with a ridiculous amount of news, frenzy, fear and anxiety. And with all that comes the question of “Who can we trust?” Another way to put it is, “Who can we believe to be speaking the truth?”

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps. 62:8).

If we’re being very honest about ourselves and the world around us, no one is trustworthy a part from God. And He is ultimately trustworthy in every way. While we may be struggling with who to believe in the media and world around us, the word of the Lord is sure and good and trustworthy every time.

“That doesn’t help me,” you may say. But I think it does. If you are trying to decide between sources and struggling to do so, run to the Word first. The promises of God to keep and sustain His people through both good and hard times will not fail. And reciting these promises will be a wonderful balm to our souls when uncertainty arises.

Are the Republicans right? Are the Democrats? What about this other person who says this or that about COVID-19? Which news channel is the right one to listen to? Where do we put our trust? Once again, the Lord!

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God (Ps. 20:7).

Revolutionary thought: People have agendas and biases, but the Lord is always just and perfect in every way and detail He chooses. I’m not being sarcastic; that is a revolutionary thought. It changes everything for us. It moves us into deeper communion with God and less trust in the chaos around us. It even causes us to check our own personal motives regularly to make sure we have the mind of Christ.

So instead of trusting in a political system for support, or a video here or post here, trust in God. Let His word inform your decisions. We can’t trust everything we see. We can’t even trust our own feelings (Jer. 17:9). But we can trust that God is for us and will never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6).

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps. 56:3–4)

Why trust Him and worry less about uncertainty around us? Because our enemies, perceived or real, can only do so much to us as children of God. No one can take away our future existence with God in the new heavens and new earth. Christ has purchased that. Now to be clear, we still must make decisions and seek the truth about situations that require our attention. We must properly handle issues of justice and seek wisdom in that handling. I want to tackle that next time.

But we can’t even begin to seek wisdom if we are looking in the wrong place. So what now? How do I trust in the Lord? What does that look like? It starts with the most common means of grace in our lives: prayer, the Word and His Church. Jump headfirst into these wonderful practices of holiness. Seek after God in prayer, in His word and in a faithful community of believers in your area (a church). These set the basis for making the wisdom calls in areas of difficulty like politics and culture.

So until next time, keep this passage close at hand:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil” (Prov. 3:5–7).

James Hammack is a regular contributor to The Rope. He also is digital services manager for The Alabama Baptist/TAB Media. He also serves as worship pastor at Sovereign Grace Church, Prattville. He and his wife, Alicia, have three children.

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