For several years I made a strong but half-hearted attempt at selling insurance and mutual funds; strong because I worked hard, half-hearted because my heart was just not in it. I tried to trick myself that it was, and I was excited about the money potential, but that latter part so rarely came my way, probably because, yes, my heart was just not in it.
I had the privilege of working with a man of great integrity and strong faith. He mentored me in some ways, and gave me a distinction which came back to me this week, when I was reading the Psalms.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:1-3)
In one conversation with my friend and boss I said that I trusted God, and he pointed out the difference between trusting God and God being trustworthy. God is trustworthy, whether or not I trust Him. God does not become more or less trustworthy dependent on my faith.
When we were kids (and this is a long time ago now), there was a wonderful teleplay of Peter Pan, starring Mary Martin in the title role. (It’s available now on YouTube!) My generation became entranced. At one point in the story, the fairy Tinker Bell, represented by a light on the set, was wounded and near death. Tink would be strengthened and healed by belief — and Peter Pan looked at us through the TV screen and begged us to say out loud, “I do believe in fairies! I do believe in fairies!” and Tink’s light, which had dimmed almost out, gradually strengthened and then shone bright. Our belief had strengthened Tinker Bell, and she would be okay. Whew!
Well, God’s not like that! God is trustworthy, regardless of whether we trust God. In our Inspire core value of Sharing Fellowship, one of the questions is, Am I confessing my sin? I confess that often when I pray I do not conclude by leaving it all in the hands of God, who is faithful and worthy to be praised. I pray and give it to God, and sometimes I take it right back up again. Another choice would be to watch and see what will happen. But that takes patience…and maybe love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And I’m not always there. But God is.
Frank is an Inspire Missioner in Texas
The week we were preparing to send this reflection out in the Beacon of Hope, someone else sent us the same verse and prayer from a devotional written by Fred Rich. It seemed like a God-incidence so we wanted to share it with you too.
Psalm 91: 1-6
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in You we are secure, and by Your grace we are saved.
In times of joy and sadness alike You are with us, and Your love surrounds us.
Lord we trust in You, for You alone are a sure foundation,
and to You alone belongs all the praise and glory.
You have created human beings in Your image,
and blessed us with so many wonderful gifts, and for this we thank You.
More than any other gift, though, O Lord,
we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ into this world to die for us.
Through faith in Him alone, You forgive us our sins
and adopt us you’re your family even though we don’t deserve it.
Thank You, Lord. In His Name we pray,
Amen.
Hymn – A Mighty Fortress by Martin Luther – Listen HERE on YouTube
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe –
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He –
Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him –
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure: one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also –
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever.
