Time to Trust
There will come a time you have to choose where you will put your trust.
“Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats. They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it. You shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you shall burn with fire. This is how you shall eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh’s Passover. The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 12:5, 7, 10-11, 13-14, 40, 51
Moses told the people to be ready to live like it was their last day in Egypt. It was time to slaughter their flock, cover the doorway with sacrificial blood, and trust in God's plan. Throughout the plagues the Lord had kept the people safe, but their lives had gotten harder as the Egyptians grew angrier. Can you imagine being there the night of the Passover? It was not like there was a plan that was laid out beyond the day. The only thing they knew was they needed to get ready. Be ready.
We live very different lives. We plan, prepare, and store up what we can. Would you be ready to leave it all behind and just go if you felt led by God?
“My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken. Trust in him at all times, you people."
Psalms 62:1-2, 8, 12
David was a king. He was wealthy and powerful. He had a palace with high walls and an army to protect him. Are his words not more powerful when you consider his one desire was to praise the God who protects, provides, and gives him peace? He does not mention anything about what he has acquired, he focuses on the God who is worthy of his trust. Would I be the same way if I had what David had? On some level do I not put trust in things other than God?
“Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death...He who is truly righteous gets life...He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life."
Proverbs 11:4, 18-19, 28, 30
Solomon was the wealthiest person on the planet in his day. His advice to others? Focus on right living over right getting. Focus on being intentional about living in such a way that what you earn is what you need not just what you want. We want stuff, but Solomon says you need the things that will nourish your soul. Think about the days you feel closest to God. What did you do on those days? How could you do more what you did then even more so you can reap more righteous fruit?
“Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the earth...Behold, your salvation comes! Behold, his reward is with him"
Isaiah 62:2, 11-12
Only God has the ability to offer the promise of eternal salvation. What else matters in light of eternity other than the promise that you can have life beyond just this life on earth? God's offer of eternal salvation is for you and for the whole earth. Do you know anyone who needs a little more hope in their life? Have you shared with them the good news of this promise? Why or why not? Do you trust God will help you when the time comes?
“The tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted...A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:6-8, 13-14, 17-18, 20-22, 26-27, 35, 38-43
Both men that Jesus encounters are wealthy and have a choice to make. How do I approach Jesus? Who is He to me? The tax collector knows he needs Jesus. He knows that all that he has acquired will mean nothing in light of eternity. He humbles himself and calls for mercy. He places his trust in God.
The ruler has lived righteously. He is a stand-up guy, but he is not all in. Jesus is just a teacher to him. He can't imagine letting go of his security blanket. His wealth is what he relies on so he loses the opportunity of a lifetime. The opportunity to be on of Jesus followers. Is there anything holding you back from trusting God fully? How would you respond to the same challenge? Following Jesus will involve sacrifice and will require that we demonstrate our trust in God by what we do when the time is right to make a choice. Will we pack our bags, paint the doorway, and be ready to move without a plan?