Friday, November 4, 2011 - Circle of Trust

     Two basic differences between the French and English languages are the gender articles (for example, "la," "le," and "les") and the fact that adjectives come after nouns in French instead of before nouns as in English ("la cuisine francais" vs. "French cuisine"). These differences represent a world of cultural differences from humor to etiquette between any two nations. Depending on our personalities, differences either kindle our fascination or provoke distrust.

    "My thoughts are completely different from yours," say the LORD.

"And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

 Isaiah 55:8

     God says there's a world of difference - no, a universe of difference - between our ways and His. Do these differences lead us to question His every move and to be suspicious of His Love and Faithfulness when things seem to fall apart before our eyes?  Or are we fascinated by the differences, spellbound by His superiority, and awed by His authority? Do we study the differences to replace our ignorance with understanding?

     Psalm 33 describes the circle of trust God wants us to enjoy with Him:

"Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise Him. . . 

For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust." 

Psalm 33:1 and 4

It may be simpler to understand if we turn the word order around like we do to translate another language. The circle of trust always begins with the Lord: 

1) "the word of the LORD holds true," 

2) therefore, "everything He (God) does is worthy of our trust." 

3) and it's always "fitting to praise Him"

4) by singing "with joy to the LORD" 

     Steps 1 and 2 never change, but are we holding up our end of this circle of trust or are we still questioning how well God holds up His end?

Father God, You deserve people who accept Your Faithfulness without question. You are worthy of our trust yet we give You grief and doubt instead. Forgive us and guide us to do what is always fitting for Your children to do: praise You with songs of joy. Help our unbelief and help us not to break this circle of trust.

In the Name of Jesus, "the radiance of His (God's) glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3 NASB)