Trust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je3lmscEkBc

Arrows (I Will be with You) ~ Bethel Music, We the Kingdom

 

Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!

~ Psalm 40:4 ESV

 

What do you trust?

Most of us trust many things without even realizing it: our furniture to hold up when we sit or lay down, our electricity and water to turn on, the sun to rise and set, our money to be in the bank, etc. What happens when that trust is betrayed? How do we respond when circumstances are drastically changed, and we don’t even know what we can trust?

 

Psalm 40:4 says, “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.” The word, “trust” means, “refuge, security, confidence,” (H4009 - Miḇṭāḥ - Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (Kjv), n.d.). We find a sense of security in a great number of things, very few being a complete trust in the Lord. But the things in which we take refuge and comfort—like our seat at church, the dollar amount in the bank, our address, our relationships, or even the condition of our Bibles [mine’s currently falling apart]—are all fleeting and eventually give out, get used up, or fade away into a distant memory. The only true thing we can trust is Jesus’ love and faithfulness toward us.

 

When I looked up verses on the Lord being my trust, several verses included statements about the Lord being my refuge, strength, and shield. When we make something fleeting the source of our trust, we are binding ourselves to it. When it disappears, so does our sense of security. However, because the Lord is unchanging and unending, so is the seat of our trust and security when we center our lives around Him and make His words—His promises—the core of our security. Then, nothing will stop, shake, or move us!

 

Lately, I’ve been studying Peter and his faith before and after jumping out of the boat to walk towards Jesus. When I make the Lord my trust, as Peter did, then I can walk by faith—even walk on water—because then I won’t even see the water.

I will only see Jesus, my trust.

©Heather Potts 2023

Nevertheless

“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” ~ Jeremiah 33:6 NIV

Yesterday, I was talking with a friend about the battles and struggles in our lives, the attacks that keep relentlessly and vengefully coming against us. She said in her life, when the attacks are hardest, she keeps coming back to, “But God.” But God who is rich in mercy. But God who gives the increase. But God. I said for me it’s, “Nevertheless.” Nevertheless, He will bring health and healing to it. Nevertheless.

You’re battling illnesses and the doctors report no hope; nevertheless, God will bring health and healing to it. You’re at odds with your kids and/or spouse and you feel defeated; nevertheless, God will bring health and healing to it. You’re facing insurmountable odds in your finances and debt; nevertheless, God will bring health and healing to it.

No matter what you’re facing, no matter how it looks, humble yourself, come before your Father and hear Him say, “Nevertheless.”

©Heather Potts 2016

Security

Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,” ignore what the world worships ~ Psalm 40:4 MSG

People do the craziest things in their cars: shave, brush their teeth, even change clothes. Everyone does it, we climb inside a routine that makes us feel secure and invisible to others, when in reality, we are very exposed.

From July 2015 until last month, Brad was looking for work, the kind with set hours and set pay. Last October, Brad thought he’d found it. But that wasn’t God’s end-game and He closed the door. Though hurt and frustrated, Brad kept applying for the job we were certain we wanted: the safe kind, with set pay. After several more interviews and just as many closed doors, we were frustrated and confused. We begged God to lead us. In that time, He never failed to care for us, but it wasn’t how we thought it was supposed to look.

God did open one door. Two of Brad’s friends encouraged him to start his own business, which he did, and began doing small projects. At the beginning of this year, one of Brad’s friends submitted a bid for a project, an undertaking which was far beyond what he could manage on his own. He told Brad that if won the bid he would need to hire Brad to coordinate it for him. Was this really the direction God was sending us? Through a series of more closed doors with this being the only open door, God confirmed this was the direction He was leading us.

I recently told a friend that we never would have gone this route had the events of last year never occurred. It doesn’t offer any security; it doesn’t come with guaranteed work or guaranteed pay… But nothing is truly secure unless directed by and held in the hands of God. If you’re walking a path and the way seems unsure, submit yourself fully into God’s hands, for His is the only way that is truly secure.

©Heather Potts 2016

Embraced

Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! ~ Isaiah 51:9 NIV

The other morning, I was snuggling with my Elizabeth.  She’d thrown up and wanted to be held, comforted by my embrace. When we’re feeling out of sorts, don’t we just want to be comforted by Him who loves us?  But how does Father God hold us?

His Arms provide strength, might, power, help and aid. The islands look to me and wait in hope for my arm, (Isaiah 51:5 NIV).

His Hands provide power, means, and direction. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God, (Isaiah 62:3 NKJV).

In His Palm is power and a place one submits himself to seek security and safety. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me, (Isaiah 49:16 NKJV).

His Bosom is a place of embrace and of acceptance. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV).

With His Face, He turns toward us, regarding us, both hearing and answering. And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken! (Ezekiel 39:29 NLT)

Just as parents hold their babies, our Father holds us. Held in His lap, we are accepted just as we are. We are loved and embraced by our Father who will never drop, leave, or forsake us.  He will give us strength and help us; He will hold us steady and keep a firm grip on us, (Isaiah 41:9-10). We are God’s sons and daughters, held in His embrace, carried close to His heart, (Isaiah 40:11). When Father looks at us, He smiles. And sometimes He tickles us, just to enjoy the sound of our laughter. We are safe, secure, and forever held in our Father’s loving embrace.

©Heather Potts 2016

Not for the Fainthearted

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10 NASB

War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.  With great intensity and mighty power this war will be won—this trial overcome—through worship, prayer, faith and courage to believe as we keep moving forward.

God spoke this truth to me over a year ago, when we were standing face-to-face with the possibility of Brad’s second open-heart surgery.  It turned out to be a “reading” error, in that someone hadn’t properly read the notes of his first heart surgery when comparing them to his most recent tests.  We were beyond relieved that he didn’t need surgery!

As I have prepared for today—for this C-Section and the birth of our daughter—I’m reminded that “War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.”  Am I at war?  According to John 10:10, the enemy is always plotting against us, looking for ways to steal from us, and ever at work trying to destroy us.  But we have the Lord on our side and He has prepared us!  He has given us the tools that we need, surrounded us with friends who lift us up in prayer, and given us His Comforter and Counselor.

Brad & I have packed, but more than that, we have prayed and have taken communion, standing firm in our faith knowing that our God is Mighty and Powerful and has never let us down.  We trust that He has gone before us and prepared the hands of the surgeon, as well as the hearts and minds of all those who will come in contact and care for us during our stay.  He has given us restful sleep before our “big day,” and has given us peace in our hearts and minds.  He even arranged for the perfect care for Savannah so that we could concentrate on the immediate needs of Elizabeth before we all come home to be together. 

I’m betting today you are not preparing to give birth to a child, but maybe to a dream.  Or maybe today, you are squashing fears that the enemy has used time and time again to try to stop you from living out the dream that the Lord has placed in you.  Whatever it is, God always goes before His people so that they may have life abundantly.  Trust in your God today.  Cry out to Him and ask for His provision and protection as you continue to make your way forward, remembering that war is not for the faint of heart but the armed.

Father, thank you that we never have to walk alone.  Thank you for sending Your Comforter and Counselor.  Thank you that you always go before us, preparing the way for us.  We love and trust you, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014

The Warrior’s Heart

Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord…Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust in is in the Lord.” ~ Jeremiah 17:5, 7 NASB

Have you ever considered how our viewpoint changes the way we act or react in situations?  In studying Jeremiah 17, I found that the word “man” means “strong man, warrior (emphasizing strength or ability to fight).”  In realizing that “man” means “warrior” I read these verses in a completely different light:

 “Cursed is the warrior who makes mankind or flesh the source of his security and strength, whose mind, will, and heart turn away or depart from the Lord…Blessed is the warrior who makes the Lord the source of his security and strength, whose refuge, object of confidence, and security are in the Lord.”

If you think of yourself as a warrior, where do you get your strength?  Is it from money, power, eating a good breakfast, or having your ego stroked by others?  Sure, those things may help, but in the long run, those things will fail and fold and you’ll be left with nothing.  But when we make the Lord the source of our strength and security, as well as the place of our refuge and object of our confidence, how can we lose?

What things are you facing today?  What issues or worries do you have?  Are you facing them as a mere man whose strength wanes with the wind or are you standing as a confident warrior with the Lord as your strength and your shield?  If it’s the former, it doesn’t have to stay that way.  The Lord is always available to us and refreshes and strengthens us when we turn to Him and make Him our source of security and strength.

Lord, I pray that regardless of the issues facing us, that we would remember that we can rely upon You and run to You as our refuge and our source of strength.  Lord, I pray that we would remember that You have called us warriors and You desire to equip us in Your strength and Your power to achieve Your victory for Your glory.  Father, please forgive us for turning to other things, even people, to build us up.  Help us to remember that You are the source of everything we need.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014

I Never Knew

I never knew when I’d be born, take my first steps, or my first fall…

I never knew when I’d have my first crush, my first heartbreak, and then my next crush…

I never knew if I’d get married, let alone want to…

I never knew if I’d want babies or if I’d enjoy feeling them growing and moving inside of me…

I never knew how hard and how long the enemy would attack me…

I never knew how deep I’d have to dig, firm I’d have to stand, or how many times I’d be on my knees before my Father’s throne…

But God knew. 

And He knew that He’d walk through it with me, giving me the strength and power to overcome.

Long before the creation of the world, God saw me and He smiled.  He called my name and it made Him laugh.  He created me in His image and it filled Him with delight.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty…If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. ~ Psalm 91:1, 9, 10

Trust & Go

The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."  But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." ~ 1 Samuel 16:1-2

How often do we hear the word, “Go” and fret about it the way Samuel did?  We hear God calling us, but somehow His words fall flat.  It’s as though we trust that He was big enough to create the world, but not that He’s strong enough to protect us in it.  I’ve started reading Linchpin, by Seth Godin.  In his book, Godin talks about being indispensable in our jobs or in the things we are passionate about and doing so by standing out, taking a chance, and following the road less traveled.  He said, “No one is a genius all the time…But we are all geniuses sometimes…[Our] problem is that…we trade our genius and artistry for apparent stability,” (1, italics mine).

That’s where Samuel was—and where we often are—when God calls to us: stuck in apparent stability.  But if we’re going to see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives, then we must trust the One who’s sending us.  We must trust the One who made heaven and earth, who so intricately knit us together in our mother’s womb, who hemmed us in on all sides, that when He says, “Go,” He will journey with us, (Psalm 146:6; Psalm 139:13; Psalm 139:5).

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to how foolish I’ve been in hiding behind my apparent stability.  Thank you, Father, for your promises to walk with me and to never leave nor forsake me.  Thank you for gently loving and nudging me the way you do.  Only You could love me so well.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.