For The Fearful,
Faint, And Feeble
Trust
in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt
be fed. Ps. 37:3.
"Trust
in the Lord." Each day has its burdens, its cares, and perplexities; and
when we meet, how ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many
borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety
is expressed, that one might almost suppose that we had no pitying, loving Saviour,
ready to hear all our requests, and to be to us a present help in every time of
need.
Some
are always fearing and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded by the
tokens of God's love, every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence;
but they overlook these present blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling
upon something disagreeable which they fear may come: or some difficulty may really
exist, which, though small, blinds their eyes to the many things which demand
gratitude. The difficulties which they encounter, instead of driving them to God,
the only source of help, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and
repining.
Brethren
and sisters, do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and
distrustful? Jesus is our friend. All heaven is interested in our welfare; and
our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a
solicitude which only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials.
No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation
against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted
in these earthly things, and we could gain them while ignoring the fact that God
controls all things.
You
may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker, and you
may be threatened with loss. But do not become discouraged; cast your care upon
God, and remain calm and cheerful. Begin every day with earnest prayer, not omitting
to offer praise and thanksgiving. Ask for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion,
and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your part to bring about
favorable results. Jesus has promised divine aid, but not aside from human efforts.
From
Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 227, 228.
