Do We Trust God?
Most people in the world believe in a kind God who wants what is best for us. The question is do we trust God? Do we trust him enough to listen to Him and follow his counsel? Or do we merely give Him lip service, then go our own way and do our own thing? In speaking to the prophet Isaiah, God said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” If God knows all knowing and is all wise, then why do we so foolishly discount His guidance and law? Why do we choose to adopt the philosophies of men, rather than adhere to the word of God?
I propose that it is for two reasons: 1) We don’t trust our ability to discern truth, and 2) God’s way of doing things is not as enticing as Man’s way. Let’s consider both of these issues:
1) We believe there is a God and we’ve learned some of the things He taught, but is this really the truth? In school we were taught that there is no God and men are merely the product of evolution. So which is really the truth? We haven’t seen God, nor heard him speak directly to us. Neither have we seen evidence of a talking ape. Without proof, we are reliant upon the testimony of others and our own experience and faith. The good news is that there are those who have seen visions and angels, walked with the Son of God, and others have heard the voice of God giving instruction. These are the prophets God who taught and recorded God’s word. We find this Truth in the scriptural record. We do not find evidence of a talking ape in the fossil record. Many scientists are beginning to question the theory of evolution. It is false theory that science is not able to substantiate, and it falls before the witness of hundreds of prophets willing to sacrifice their lives to bear testimony of truth.
2) We stumble when we question our faith in God while contemplating the enticements of the world. God’s way seems hard compared to the philosophies of men. We think that the day of judgment may not be a sure thing and even if it is, it is a long way off, but the big party at Joe’s house is tonight, and it’s going to be fun. When faced with this choice, which do we choose? Are we like the disciples of Christ who after hearing him teach said, “This is a hard saying: who can hear it? … From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:60
So back to the question. Do you trust God to do what’s best for you? Are you willing to turn your life over to Him and follow his counsel? Are you willing to trade some Earthly pleasures to receive all that God has promised the faithful, even Salvation and Eternal Life, the greatest of all gifts? Then face towards God, strive to do His will, and He will help you discern truth from error, strengthen you, and give you peace and joy in this life and the next.
