Everyone seems to have a need to be safe and secure. We see warnings everywhere we look and watch for them everywhere we go. They alert us to potential dangers and advise us of impending problems. They are an important part of life. 

There were several times in the life of David when he was forced to flee for his life. Even though he was God’s anointed king, he was not immune to the injustice and hatred of others. Even Saul had a desire to destroy him. 

Once when he was in danger, he stood his ground and said, “I trust in the Lord for protection, so why do you say to me, Fly like a bird to the mountain?” During this time of outward trouble, he looked inside himself and found what he needed: His Lord! 

Our society has become heavily involved in seeking temporary solutions to eternal problems. More individuals than we want to admit are addicted to drugs – whether legal or illegal, prescribed or purchased without proper authority. But those solutions are temporary and only last for a short time and ultimately end in disaster. 

But that is not true if we trust in the Lord. He is more than a stimulus or a sedative; He will become our Savior and remain with us throughout eternity. He does not destroy – He delivers. He does not control us - He transforms us to that which is good, pure, wholesome, and life-giving. No prayer is too hard for Him to answer, and there is no problem too complex for Him to solve. 

Prayer: May we trust in Your power, Lord, to deliver us from sin and protect us from whatever would destroy us. May we accept Your salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  I trust in the Lord for protection, so why do you say to me, Fly like a bird to the mountain? Psalm 11:1 

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Everyone seems to have a need to be safe and secure. We see warnings everywhere we look and watch for them everywhere we go. They alert us to potential dangers and advise us of impending problems. They are an important part of life. 

There were several times in the life of David when he was forced to flee for his life. Even though he was God’s anointed king, he was not immune to the injustice and hatred of others. Even Saul had a desire to destroy him. 

Once when he was in danger, he stood his ground and said, “I trust in the Lord for protection, so why do you say to me, Fly like a bird to the mountain?” During this time of outward trouble, he looked inside himself and found what he needed: His Lord! 

Our society has become heavily involved in seeking temporary solutions to eternal problems. More individuals than we want to admit are addicted to drugs – whether legal or illegal, prescribed or purchased without proper authority. But those solutions are temporary and only last for a short time and ultimately end in disaster. 

But that is not true if we trust in the Lord. He is more than a stimulus or a sedative; He will become our Savior and remain with us throughout eternity. He does not destroy – He delivers. He does not control us - He transforms us to that which is good, pure, wholesome, and life-giving. No prayer is too hard for Him to answer, and there is no problem too complex for Him to solve. 

Prayer: May we trust in Your power, Lord, to deliver us from sin and protect us from whatever would destroy us. May we accept Your salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  I trust in the Lord for protection, so why do you say to me, Fly like a bird to the mountain? Psalm 11:1 

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

We all inherit the same sinful nature at birth. It is very evident in the way we think and act. We have an “inbred” dependence on our subjective, self-focused, self-centered, or perhaps might we be more honest and say “sinful” selves. We tend to rely on our God-given gifts as something we have accomplished on our own apart from Him. It is as though we took a lump of clay from the ground and fashioned a person, endowed him with skills and abilities and said, “Now, let’s do something that we can be proud of!”

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” This statement reminds us of the wisdom contained in another proverb: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings.” Once again in his wisdom and our lack of it, Solomon took time to remind us of how we easily turn to ourselves rather than God. Trusting in ourselves is normal and natural but not without demonstrating to ourselves, others and God that we are fools.

Notice this: “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” This theme, flowing throughout proverbs, is so very important when we relate it to our sinful nature. To “trust in” is difficult because it signals to the world that what we do is not of ourselves but is a gift from God and to God be the glory!

Greed is who we are - though not a word that we want to be associated with. It is something most of us try to avoid. Yet, the only option is to give credit to God.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for seeing who we can be in spite of ourselves. Make us willing to let go and let God! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Knowing who or what to trust may be difficult. It may be the result of having someone disappoint us or take advantage of us. None the less, trust once lost, is often costly and difficult to regain.

Years ago a mother and father sat in my office and asked, “Dr. Guido, in light of what our son has done, will we ever be able to trust him again? He has disappointed us time and time again. He has lied to us and he has stolen from us and he has betrayed us. How can we ever believe what he says is true?”

My heart ached as they looked at me. They loved their son dearly. They made many sacrifices on his behalf. They sent him to the best schools and took him to church when he was young. But a gradual change came over him and they did not know what to do.

After thinking a few moments I replied, “Yes, once we lose trust in someone we love dearly, it causes problems that are difficult to overcome. But there seems to be one principle that might help you. It begins with keeping our promises. If I say and do it, that’s me keeping my word and you can begin to trust me. If I say it and don’t do it, I’ve not honored my word and old doubts will return. The past will invade our minds and hearts and trust will become more difficult than ever. Keeping my word is the only reason you would have to trust me.”

“Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” We know that we can trust the Lord because He has always honored His word. If He said it He did it - time and time again!

Prayer:  How blest we are, Father, to read Your Word and place our trust in You. Your Word allows us to trust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

A man was looking over a cliff when he slipped and began to fall. Sliding down the ledge he grabbed a branch and was hanging on for dear life. Shouting loudly he cried, “Is anyone up there?”

“I am the Lord and I am here,” came the answer. “Do you believe in Me?”

“Yes, Lord, I do. But I can’t hang on much longer.”

“I’ll save you,” said the Lord. “Just let go.”

There was a pause. Finally the man asked, “Is anyone else up there?”

How like so many of us. We doubt the Lord and put our trust in others.

Early in life we are taught to depend on ourselves, to be self-sufficient, strong and solve problems on our own. We also learn to rely on others, look to them for strength and help. Eventually we reach our limits and those we look to for insight, come up lacking. Then, when we become fearful or frustrated, we learn to look to God first and foremost.

Do you remember learning to swim? Can you recall someone standing in front of you in the water and saying, “Jump!” Knowing that they were able to catch us is the faith factor. Jumping in becomes the trust factor.
God’s Word constantly encourages us to have faith in Him. It gives us many examples of those who have faith in Him. It is the “letting go” by knowing that He is there to care for us that makes faith work – the trust factor.

Prayer: Teach us, Father, to realize our need to let go and let God meet us at our point of need. May our knowing give way to believing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 60:11, 12 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.