TRUST AND LIFE’S JOURNEY TO THE END

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

The verse above makes it clear that only God is worthy of our utmost trust in all things. Do not put your ultimate hope in fallible man; strength diminishes with age and wisdom is the gift of God. Trust not in wealth because it may vanish in a moment, nor personal advantage because there are always others who have more. Only God deserves all our confidence.

All should depend on God for good judgment and knowledge to live the Christian life. Seek direction from Him or collide with increasing degrees of frustration. All success in life comes from the goodness of God. The Apostle Paul writes:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Paul was no stranger to pain and suffering. He experienced harsh treatment in his life. He was hounded, whipped, bound, and jailed. Obviously, Paul was not expecting health, wealth, and material prosperity when he said, “all things work together for good”. Those who love God are the “called” of God and God’s “purpose” is to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:29 ESV) Conforming us to the image of Christ in this life is what is good and accomplishes God’s purpose. We may trust God in this because we are told by Paul:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

The Christian’s good works and holy living are evidence of salvation and should be readily seen. However, God is the author of salvation by grace and His strength enables us to walk with Him to the end of life’s journey.

Every good thing that is in a Christian, not merely begins, but progresses and is consummated by the fostering Grace of God through Jesus Christ.  If my finger were on the golden latch of Paradise and my foot were on its jasper threshold, I should not take the last step so as to enter Heaven unless the Divine Grace which brought me so far should enable me to fully and fairly complete my pilgrimage.  Salvation is God’s work, not man’s! (Charles H. Spurgeon)