Do we Trust the Lord?

Do we trust the Lord?  Our immediate and automatic response might be “Yes, of course!” but a more careful and contemplative reply might be, “Sometimes I do and sometimes I struggle with it…”  I would venture to say that most of us fall in line with the second response.  We know that we should trust the Lord—and often do—but there are so many times when our trust is hindered by our worry, doubt, and fear…but we are not alone.  Many God-fearing believers have struggled with this throughout the Bible.  Take a look at one instance: 

 “In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’  ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered.  The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’” 

The Lord gave a believer named Ananias who lived in Damascus (the place where Paul—aka Saul—ended up after his conversion) a vision.  Ananias’ relationship with the Lord was such that he recognized the Lord’s voice right away and accepted that the Lord was speaking to him and giving him a vision—a very supernatural event.  For some of us, this is already where we would start to struggle with trust.  We might hesitate because we would be afraid of the Lord communicating with us in this way—it would feel unnatural and kooky.  We might even hesitate because the Lord said to lay hands on someone and pray for healing.  

Interestingly, even though Ananias was able to accept the amazing supernatural vision from the Lord with faith, it is in the next part where he encountered his own personal struggle with trust:  “’Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’” 

He wrestled with his flesh.  He was not fearful about encountering the eternal and supernatural vision, but he was fearful when it came to his physical safety and well-being.  He knew who Paul was and what he was capable of, and that created a very real concern.  But here’s the cool part—the Lord said “Go!” and Ananias overcame his fear with obedience and did what the Lord commanded him to do.  Paul’s sight was restored, he was baptized and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Likewise, the Lord may want us to give into Him and trust Him in some area where we have doubt, unbelief, or fear—none of which are from the Lord.  We can instead follow Ananias’s example and overcome these things with obedience and faith.  Today, let’s trust the Lord and watch as He does miraculous things in and through us just like He did with Ananias.