Trust is a powerful factor in relationships. Trust engenders honor. Trust ascribes value. Trust says you are important. Trust says I’ve checked you out and you have character and integrity. Psalm 118:8 (AMPC) says: “It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” This is not saying that we cannot trust people. There are trustworthy people around us. It is saying that we need to primarily trust God and His word. He has to be first. If we trust what people say over what God says, it will lead us astray. When God is the bedrock of our lives, nothing people say or do will lead us astray. Jeremiah 17:5 (AMP) says: “Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, and whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord”. Note how the prophet emphasizes that we must stay away from trusting in weak, faulty flesh. We are not to allow “flesh” to turn our hearts away from the Lord. So today, we need to make a personal assessment and see where our trust is. If it is in the wrong place, today is the perfect day to make the needed adjustment. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”. Proverbs 3:5,6.
Those who listen will succeed!
Success in God’s Kingdom is different from what the world considers success. Many today view success as being famous and making a lot of money. Whereas, in the Kingdom of God, good success is accomplishing what God has placed in our hands. It’s accomplishing our purpose in life, and this purpose provides eternal benefits to those around us. Also, God is pleased when we accomplish his purpose, and calls us “good and faithful servants.” Proverbs 16:20 (EXB) says: “Whoever listens to what is taught [has insight] will succeed [prosper], and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy [blessed].” Notice that the verse highlights the importance of being teachable. If we “listen to what is taught,” this will give us divine perspective and insight, and it will cause us to prosper. Insight is a deeper kind of wisdom and intuition that lets you see beyond the current circumstances or conditions. People with this kind of insight can spot hidden opportunities. They can also endure strong opposition or criticism because they can see the benefits beyond the current struggle. And this eventually leads them to overcome and thrive in the midst of difficult and uncertain conditions. When we trust the Lord, we are asking Him to take the steering wheel of our lives and help us to navigate through the current storms or processes of life. When we do that, we will be blessed indeed!
Proverbs 16:20 (EXB) “Whoever listens to what is taught [has insight] will ·succeed [prosper], and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy [blessed].”
