Commit and Trust

Psalm 37:5-7 (ESV)

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

This combined admonition and promise is for all of life, not just for its great occasions. We do not have too many times in our life when we are called upon to make a momentous decision that will impact our entire future; but to all of us there comes a few occasions when the success or failure of the future depends upon making the right choice. Powerless though we are to see the future, we must choose; and that choice sometimes determines the rest of our days.

Certainly, we need divine guidance at such times, but we should not diminish the need for similar guidance in the mundane of times either. If we examine life carefully, we will find that just as the ocean is made up of tiny drops of water, character is made up of the little things in life. Great events grow out of a series of smaller events. Looking at life from this viewpoint it seems far more important to seek God’s guidance in the innumerable trivial pursuits of life than in the occasional weighty matters alone. And if we have not learned to commit the daily, monotonous steps to Him, how much more difficult will it be to seek His help when we come to a definite turning point in life?

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we recognize that from the heart come the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23), and the believer’s heart desires foremost to serve God. If we are consistent in this desire, then we keep in harmony with God’s will for us. Yet we must take special care that our desires are kept in subordination to Him—“not my will, but yours be done.”

How do we do this? By being in regular communication with Him. Just like the more we talk to any individual and learn to recognize their voice, so too can it be with our Creator. It must be our solemn duty to exercise a healthy prayer life so that our way will be the same as God’s way.  He does not reveal His way to those who remain independent and ignorant, but His counsel is freely given when sincerely sought for those who believe in Him.

God speaks to us through His word, through circumstances, and through our own hearts. If in all our ways we acknowledge Him, He will direct our paths; but this is possible only if we also trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is the condition of all wise choices. 

These two keys—commit and trust—will open the doors of peace, contentment, and joy in the Lord (Philippians 4:6-7). We must commit our way unto Him, and then trust His guidance.

We know there will be disappointments, failures, sorrow—even death; but God has promised to never leave us or forsake us, and the certainty of His presence makes it possible to face an unknown future. The joy we have as believers is recognizing that the only rest for a weary soul is in the Lord. 

I am reminded of Horatio Spafford’s famous hymn, “It is Well with My Soul”, lyrics written in response to the horrific tragedy Mr. Spafford endured upon losing his four daughters in a ship collision at sea in 1873. Such a remarkable testament of faith and trust and one if you have not read the entire story, is certainly worth reading.

Put your faith in the Lord, and rest in His guidance, for He will surely bring you home one day.