COMPLETE TRUST!
What an amazing truth! I’m not sure I can say that I have complete trust – if that shocks some of you, I apologize but I am being honest. I know in my heart of hearts that God is always faithful, His love is unconditional and His Word never fails but I don’t always let that lead me.
I guess I’m kind of like Peter. This morning I was reading in John 21. Peter and some of the others had gone fishing. It had been a couple of weeks since Jesus’ resurrection but they were no longer living in daily contact with Jesus. In fact, this account says it was the third time they had encountered Jesus since His resurrection.
They were probably at a loss of direction, so they went back to doing what they had done before they began following Jesus. They went fishing and having fished all night, they caught nothing.
As they were bringing their boats back to shore, Jesus called to them and told them to cast their nets to the right side of their boat. The Bible said they didn’t recognize that it was Jesus but they obeyed. They trusted Him. Their nets filled with fish and almost broke.
John told Peter, “It’s Jesus.” Peter threw on his outer coat, jumped in the water and headed to shore. Jesus was waiting with fresh bread and grilled fish.
I find it interesting that Jesus met them again where He had originally met them, at the seaside, and called them to be fishers of men. Jesus fed them physically and then He asked them to follow Him, once again.
“Then he said to Peter, ‘Follow me!‘” John 21:19 ERV
In spite of Peter’s actions – his denial of knowing Christ, his fear of the religious leaders after the crucifixion, his return to his old ways of fishing – Jesus still reached out to Peter, restored him and reminded him to trust.
I know that God can’t and doesn’t lie – I know His love never fails – I know that He is faithful to a thousand generations! I know that He is my Savior, my healer, my provider, my counselor, my peace, my protection, my all-in-all!
Then why do I let fear or anxiety, frustration or anger, or self will invade my world? It’s because like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus and look at my own efforts. I neglect to “consider” the one thing that always provides the right answer.
The Apostle Paul said that we are to renew our minds and not be conformed to this world. Jesus went aside to pray and spend time with His Father on many occasions, renewing His mind and refreshing His spirit.
Complete Trust!
It’s something we grow toward and grow in as we spend more time in God’s word and in prayer, bringing our minds into obedience with His word. There is only one thing that has always been right – God and His word!
Trust God and follow Him!