Dooley Noted: Reasons to trust God

Do you trust me? That was the question I heard from one of my sons as he, through a sly grin, begged me to sit down. Because he was unaware that I saw him slip the Whoopi Cushion beneath me, his efforts to persuade his dad were even more entertaining to me than what was about to happen would be to him.

Perhaps you’ve heard a similar insistence from someone you love. Whether it’s lighter moments or more serious matters, we frequently reassure the people that we love in both word and deed that we are trustworthy. The counsel parents offer their children, for example, is rooted in trust.

• When the right decision is painful, a father reminds his son—trust me.
• When the high road is costly, a mother might plead—trust me.
• When future outcomes seem uncertain, parents reassure with the words—trust us.

Ultimately, who we choose to trust will determine both the course and quality of our lives. These instances, though, reveal an important lesson about trustworthiness. Who we trust depends largely upon a person’s character and their perceived motive. With that in mind, let me ask the most important question of all; namely, do you trust God? Do you trust Him with your future? Do you trust Him with your fortune? Do you trust Him with your loved ones? Do you trust Him to forgive you when you stray? Do you trust Him with your life? And your soul? Do you trust Him enough to follow Him into tomorrow even if today is a disappointment? If so, why? And if not, what would convince you to do so?

Thankfully, tucked away in the Old Testament book of Isaiah are at least four significant reasons why we should trust God with our whole heart. First, we learn that ours is a God who satisfies fully. Immediately after describing the future suffering of the coming Messiah (Isa. 53:1-12), the prophet Isaiah offered three profound images of how greatly we should rejoice over God’s grace in our lives. Because grace is a miracle, we should celebrate like a barren woman who conceives a child (Isa. 54:1-3). When the shame of our sin disappears, we enjoy relief like an adulterous woman who receives forgiveness and comfort from her husband (Isa. 54:4-10). After the blessings of God flow abundantly into our lives, we praise Him like citizens of a previously poor city now covered in jewels (Isa. 54:11-12).

Following these powerful metaphors is an invitation to all who will hear it—Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (Isa. 55:1). In other words, God’s grace is about more than surviving; it is about thriving! Come and drink deeply from the waters of grace and find out how wonderfully satisfying Christ is for yourself. Don’t just think about it—COME! Don’t make excuses—COME! Don’t look for loopholes—COME! Don’t delay responding—COME (Rev. 22:17)!

Second, the prophet teaches us that we serve a God who loves deeply. Though Isaiah was primarily the Lord’s messenger to Israel’s southern kingdom, next he reveals that God’s intentions are much bigger than any one nation (Isa. 55:4-5). The promised Son born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; 9:6) came to suffer for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16). God’s love is bigger than just one group of people. His love is bigger than one nation. His love is bigger than one generation. God loves all people at all times in every place.

Currently, the world boasts of 195 countries and God loves them all. There are 650 ethnic groups across globe and God loves them all. There are 24 time zones on planet earth and God loves them all. There just under 8 billion people alive right now and God loves each and every one of them. That means that God loves YOU and all of His instructions are for your good.

Third, we learn that we have a God who forgives completely. I suspect the reason that we sometimes doubt God’s love for us is because our sins are greater than we care to admit. Yet, the Lord desires that we seek and find Him (Isa. 55:6) knowing that if we forsake our sins, He will have compassion on us by abundantly pardoning every sinner (Isa. 55:7). While total cleansing is available to all because of God’s love, only those who thoroughly repent will know its joy. If this promise seems too good to be true, remember that God is not like us and His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9).

Finally, we discover the guarantee that the Bible reveals a God who succeeds eternally. Stated differently, He always accomplishes exactly what He desires and precisely what He says. Just as rain and snow water the earth before evaporating, so God’s Word will always accomplish His work (Isa. 55:10-11). And what does Scripture promise God’s people? Joy, peace, celebration, and renewal (Isa. 55:12-13). Granted, these poetic realities felt true after God rescued Israel from Babylonian captivity, but Isaiah is also forecasting a future reality yet to occur.

One day, Christ will return and our broken world will be made right. He will wipe the tears from our eyes, swallow up death in victory, end our mourning, and remove our pain (Rev. 21:4-5). Every page of the Bible echoes this message and, because God always succeeds in His plans, you can trust that it is completely and remarkably true. So, if you’re already walking with God, keep trusting Him. And if you are considering following Jesus, I hope you will. You won’t regret trusting Him.

Dr. Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, and author of Hope When Life Unravels. Contact him at adooley@ebcjackson.org. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBDooley.