Trusting Through Troubles

The inscription on U.S. coins which we carry in our pocket or purse contain the words “In God We Trust.”  Question: Do you really put your trust in God?  Trusting God when times are good is easy for anyone.  However, it is a bit more difficult to trust God when things do not turn out the way you thought they would.

The Biblical Christmas story tells of two individuals who trusted God – Mary and Joseph.  They were engaged to be married, had a commitment to each other, and a commitment to God’s Word.  They wholeheartedly believed what God said.  An angel appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).  Mary was shocked about the situation because she asked the angel, “How will this be … since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).  The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).  Even though Mary was confused, her implicit trust in God was shown when she said to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Joseph was extremely distressed when he discovered that his fiancé was pregnant.  However, he was a righteous young man and he did not want to expose Mary to public grace.  So his plan, which he felt would cause the least hurt to Mary, was to divorce her in a quiet manner.  However, an angel appeared to him and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).  Like Mary, Joseph’s action to the communication from the angel showed his unconditional trust in God.  Scripture tells us, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).  Obviously, things did not work out the way this young couple had planned.  However, both of them obediently followed God’s direction and allowed God to work in their lives.

When things do not work out for you as you thought they would, do you find yourself trusting God through obedience and courage like Mary and Joseph?  Are you willing to put your life completely in God’s hands?   Remember, God is big enough, strong enough, and powerful enough to meet every need that you have.  The Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). During this Christmas season and in coming New Year, why not step out in faith and make “In God We Trust” a reality no matter what your circumstances?