Do You Trust the Lord With All Your Heart?
September 04, 2022
Do You Trust the Lord with All Your Heart?
By Brooke Holt
“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” The Collect, Book of Common Prayer
What do you boast about these days—your job, children, athletic pursuits, appearance, or work ethic? We live in a world where we are constantly told to exalt the self. We encourage our children to be the best students, athletes, and competitors from a young age. Boasting may not be highly looked upon, yet we do it subtly to prove we are worthy people, important people.
The Lord would have you find your significance differently. He would have you look to him—your Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. As his precious creation, you have infinite value. That value comes not from your many accomplishments but from your relationship with Jesus. Yes, I know this is not the world’s way but God’s way.
This Collect reminds God’s people that all our boasting is to be in the cross of Christ and the mercy that flows from that cross. We are God’s beloved children. He loved us so much that he sent his Son to live as one of us, teach us the kingdom values, and lay down his life on our behalf. Where sin once held and defined us, grace now washes all that sin away and restores us to righteousness.
This is the mercy of God demonstrated in his Son. This is the way to the abundant life God has for us. Mercy sets us free from the consequences of sin and allows us to enjoy a life of perfect love and fellowship with the Lord. Thus, the Collect prays we would trust in that sovereign love and continue to boast in the Lord alone. There, we will find strength for every challenge we encounter.
May we humble ourselves today so that we may find not our strength but his strength. And may love overflow in and through us that trust in the Lord alone would characterize our lives.
Reflection:
What is your source of pride and boasting today? What would the Lord have it to be? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resource:
Why is trust so difficult? Unlike all the broken promises of this world, God’s redeeming promises are absolute, trustworthy, and true. The covenants of God afford us with abundant reasons to trust God with his plan for our lives. Trusting God: Redeeming Promises of the Word small group Bible study explores the six major redeeming promises of God found in his Word. Learn more about God’s commitment to his people, the nature of a covenant, and how you can find your security in being a child of God’s redeeming promises. Learn more about God’s promises today.
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