Who Can You Trust?

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (Ps.118:8-9 NIV)

As I was reading these verses I felt the Lord speak to me about resources. It seems that the current financial landscape is teetering. Many may be looking to see how they are going to manage in a growing financial crisis. People are looking to many places and ideas of how to navigate as inflation has quickly risen and maybe just beginning.

To take refuge points to being pursued, or trying to escape danger or trouble. In the case of provision or other need of help, another human can only help so much. They are limited in scope. God has no limitations. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. (Ps.50:10)

While a prince, or government, has much more resources than the average human, he also will only do so much. Then, men and governments have historically had a problem with power and unscrupulous activity. That may or may not be true with an individual, but it opens us up to that possibility.

Man or government is not our provider. We can always trust God to not use his power against us. In times of crisis, it can sometimes be hard to trust God. It’s much easier when things are good, easygoing, or smooth.

Looking at a challenge from far off, we can imagine how we might react when whatever ‘it’ is gets here. We don’t usually expect the strength of the emotion that comes with it. That emotion can move us to react a little differently than we thought.

If you are having an emotional reaction, first, don’t beat yourself up about it. Nothing good comes from that. Take one step at a time and ask God for help. He is the source of all things. Remember, Peter began to sink from his own reaction to the storm, but Jesus didn’t leave him there. He helped Peter up. He loves you and has good in store.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer.29:11 NLT)

(The image above, ‘Under Blue Skies’, is one I did a few months ago. It is a colored pencil drawing on colored textured paper.)