January 28, 2023

January 28, 2023

To prevent the frustration of falling behind, which most of us tend to do when following a Bible reading plan, each month of this plan gives you only twenty-five readings. Today we start a few “free days” . We encourage you to catch up on any readings you may have missed this month.

If you have finished the month’s readings, you can use these final days of the month to study the passages that challenged or intrigued you.

The Bible reading plan we are following this year can be found here: https://www.navigators.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/navigators-bible-reading-plan.pdf

Daily Devotion

TRUST

Learning to trust God wholly and completely with everything in our life, in every situation, is not easy for most of us.

What is trust? Faith, confidence, reliance, a feeling of certainty that a person or thing will not fail.

Trust implies depth and assurance of feeling based on little or no evidence.

Faith implies unquestioning, often an emotionally charged belief.

Confidence frequently implies stronger grounds for assurance.

Reliance implies a confident and trustful commitment to another.

  • God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

  • His plan may not be our plan. Our flesh wants its own way. Sometimes we think if we beg and cry God will change His plan and do it our way. And He might allow us to do it our way if we insist. But the outcome will not be as good as God’s plan.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Proverbs 28:26 NIV

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalm 18:30 NLT

  • God is good. He wants to give us good things. We can believe and trust in this.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

  • We will have trials. 

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1

  • Trials have a purpose.  They help us grow our strength, endurance, and patience and our ability to help others. The pain is sent to develop you and glorify God.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” Romans 5:3

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

  • Some trials are sent to test us. Then like Job we can say:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

“Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” Psalm 26:1 NLT

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

  • Because we are human we question God. Why Lord? Why me? Why my loved one? We struggle with feelings and emotions fear, anger, loneliness, worry, depression, etc. God is under no obligation to explain His plan or answer our whys. He wants us to trust Him, without the answers, regardless of the circumstances.  It is all about trust. Do we really trust Him? Completely? Without reservations?

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56:3

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

  • Have you ever done a trust fall where you are blindfolded and you fall backward onto the interlocked arms of a group of people? I cannot do it. People make mistakes, get distracted, and fail. God does not! We can fall into His arms and totally trust Him to catch us and hold us.

“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalm 56:4

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6 NLT

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV

  • When we finally throw up our hands and give everything to God we can embrace the spirit of Job. Accept God’s purpose and let go, stop trying to control everything and trust in Him. Recognize God’s sovereignty over our life. Find refuge in Him and let His peace rule in our heart.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:1-2

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” Psalm 5:11 

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” Hebrews 10:35 NLT

~Kathy Johnson