I’ve been thinking about trust these past few days. What does “trust” mean? So often I hear others, myself … praise the Father above for the good things in our lives … for the things that turned out better than we could have expected. And clearly those are blessings from his hand.
But I’m not sure they are the best evidence of our trust in God. It seems to me our best trust in God is displayed when by all human understanding the events, circumstances are not in our favor, are not “good” … and we still believe He is in control and has a higher purpose in the midst of the difficulties.
Robert Louis Stevenson, in a love poem, says, “Small is the trust when love is green / in sap of early years; / a little thing steps in between / and kisses turn to tears.” This captures our trust in God at times.
Another poet, hymn writer of old says it this way:
He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower,
Alike they’re needful for the flower:
And joys and tears alike are sent
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
Can loving children e’er reprove
With murmurs whom they trust and love?
Creator! I would ever be
A trusting, loving child to thee:
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
Oh, ne’er will I at life repine:
Enough that thou hast made it mine.
When falls the shadow cold of death
I yet will sing, with parting breath,
As comes to me or shade or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
