Trust in God

 

This was a talk I prepared for the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2022:

I know we just had Thanksgiving and gratitude is an important topic, but I’m not going to talk on gratitude today. I’m grateful for the opportunity to choose my own topic on some things that have stood out to me this year with reading the Old Testament. I was not initially grateful for the ability to choose my topic- it almost felt overwhelming to have to pick something out of endless options but after brainstorming I came up with something that I need to work on and I hope you do too. Do you trust the Lord? I assume most of us DO trust in the Lord. However, I feel like it is also something we could all work on. As I speak today I hope you realize that you CAN trust the Lord but also I want you to ask yourself this question: ‘How can I trust God more?’ I am not perfect in this and so the examples I’ve chosen are either things I needed to be reminded of, or related to issues I think are common. My intent isn’t that anyone feels guilty, but just that you can know one way you can trust the Lord more. 2 Chronicles 27:6, tells us, “So Jotham became mighty, because he maintained a steady course [changed based on the footnote giving the original Hebrew] before the LORD his God.” Jotham did not enter into the temple, but he was blessed because he maintained a steady course. I hope that you will hear something that will help you improve in trusting the Lord more. I want to address three important characteristics of God that I think make Him trustworthy. First, He is loving and mindful. Second, He is omniscient. And third, He is omnipotent.

First, God is loving and mindful.

God is our loving Heavenly Father.

There’s a quote I like by Dallin H. Oaks, “A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child: “All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself…. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.”” (The Challenge to Become” Ensign Oct 2000). Do we trust that our loving Father didn’t just randomly make commandments to restrict and burden us? But that they are there to help us become as He is?

I think of my limited experience being an imperfect parent. If I truly want what’s best for my children, I will not prevent them from falling when they’re trying to walk. And I will give them multiple chances to learn something. Do we trust that God is a perfect parent and will not save us from all hardship and give us multiple chances and that His actions come from Him loving us?

I know the Lord is mindful of all His children. There was a time on my mission when I felt like we needed to go to a certain house. But I had nothing to say to the person. But I followed the spirit. The words that came out of my mouth were not my own, and things that I had no idea she needed to hear, but the Lord knew. Afterwards a family member thanked us. She had been about to commit suicide and whatever the Lord had me say, was what she needed to hear to feel that she was worth something—to Him.

Do we trust the Lord to care about us? To be mindful of us? Do we trust that He won’t deliver us just to have us perish?

The Israelites kept doubting that. They kept looking back- we have no food… we have no water… Why did God deliver us from Egypt to have us perish in the wilderness? The answer is: God will not deliver us from one thing just to send us to our doom. If bad things happen, it’s just part of life, but God is with us. God is mindful of us. He doesn’t always take away our trials but He can, at times, help carry us THROUGH our afflictions or carry our burdens with us. I have been through tragedy and felt peace in the midst of grief. When I lost my son, several angels in this ward and community came to my house and sang with candles. It did not take away my grief, but I didn’t have to suffer alone. Some trials are more private but I know from experience, the Lord and unseen angels still walk with us. Do we trust Him to be with us and not leave us to perish?

Do we trust the Lord to intervene when it’s important?

This reminds me of the story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6. He was carrying the ark and the oxen shook it and so he reached forth his hand to steady it. But he didn’t have the authority to do so. President Brigham Young once said, “Let the kingdom alone, the Lord steadies the ark; and if it does jostle, and appear to need steadying… and to all appearance threatens its overthrow, … let us not be too officious in meddling with that which does not concern us; let it alone, it is the Lord’s work” (“Discourses of Brigham Young”, sel. John A. Widstoe, 1954, 66). The Lord’s work is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” His work is your eternal well-being. There are times when it seems like things are surely going to fail—do we trust the Lord to intervene if it would be that disastrous to our eternal well-being?

Second, the Lord is omniscient. Do we trust in His knowledge?

Do we trust that with His perfect knowledge, He knows who is best to call to represent Him and lead His Church?

D&C 1:38 says, “Whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same”. Do we trust Him to choose the right mouthpiece? Do we trust Him to know if He needs to remove them and that He will intervene if it’s important? In 1 Samuel we read of Eli the High Priest who does not remove his sons from a position of authority and are causing the Lord’s people to transgress. In 2:29 the Lord asks Eli, “Wherefore… honourest thy sons above me?” And then shortly thereafter the Lord calls on the boy Samuel to be the prophet instead. If needed, do you trust God to lead His Church and choose His new spokesman if one is needed? Do we trust God to choose a prophet who will listen to His voice in choosing apostles? Do we trust God to be closely following and oversee His work, even on a local level?  Do we trust the Lord to know how to guide HIS church?

Do we trust that the Lord knows more than an expert, who is mortal and limited in his knowledge?

The story of Daniel says the king gathered the best of the best including princes and children of Israel. They were given the honor of eating a portion of the king’s food and wine. It was thought to be, according to their experts at the time, the best to nourish them. And yet, it was contrary to the current law of health given to Israel. Daniel had the faith to say he trusted the Lord’s knowledge on what was best for him to eat, more than what any man said was good for him. Do we trust the Lord that much? Experts say a glass of red wine is good for your heart. Experts say coffee can benefit you. Experts say you should break the law of chastity so you know before marriage if you’re fully compatible. But do any mortal “experts” know more than an omniscient God? Who do we trust?

Do we trust that God knows more than us? Do we trust that God knows what is best?

The story of Job is widely known. He’s called perfect and indeed he is very righteous. He does not blame the Lord for His afflictions. But he does at one point say it would have been better if he hadn’t been born and asks “Why?” a little bit. Then the Lord gently reprimands Job. Throughout chapter 38 He asks questions like: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth?... Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?” In short, were you there when God did everything? Do you remember it? Do you understand how it all happened? Do we know more than God? Neal A Maxwell said, ““When we are unduly impatient with an omniscient God’s timing”, as Job seemed to be, “We really are suggesting that we know what is best. Strange, isn’t it—we who wear wristwatches seek to counsel Him who oversees cosmic clocks and calendars”” (“Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” Ensign, Nov. 1998).

Along the lines of God knowing the best because He knows more than we do, I’m reminded of one rendition of one of my Grandpa Lang’s favorite productions, “A Christmas Carol”. At one point, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Past who says she’s there for his welfare. Scrooge starts to say what he thinks would be best for his welfare and the Ghost of Christmas Past interrupts him, saying, “But don’t I think a good night’s sleep unhaunted by ghosts would serve your welfare better?” and she chuckles and then says, “No. Definitely not.” I feel this is sometimes us and Heavenly Father. What Scrooge wanted- a good night’s sleep- wasn’t a bad thing, but the ghost knew better, just like our Heavenly Father knows better. Wouldn’t it be better for me if I didn’t go through this? And the Lord trying to tell us- No, in the long run, definitely not.

Do we trust that not only God knows best, but that His timing is best?

Some faithful members stay single in this life. Some struggle with infertility. Some struggle with illness, fears, infidelity, betrayal, addictions, abuse, trauma, divorce, death and other things. The thing is, having a good life here was not the purpose. This life is a test. This life is not about what we deserve or our righteous desires, but about what we need, to become all that we can be and eventually have everything we deserve and our righteous desires. In life, many things happen that we don’t deserve, but they can work for our benefit if we trust the Lord’s perfect eternal knowledge and His timing.

Do we trust the Lord to tell us when to act when it’s important?

This does not mean we are always told before something awful happens. On March 17, 2016 I remember getting a strong impression that “It was too quiet” and felt I needed to check on my son. I acted immediately. I had not received a prompting earlier. My Mom and I went downstairs with his clothes for the day and he was not where I left him. We found my son face down in the pool, getting out through the dog door. If death were the end, God’s plan would’ve been frustrated. But it is not. For some reason, it needed to happen. Maybe he was needed on the other side of the veil, or maybe those left behind needed to learn something. I know I have grown because of that experience and I try to remember that so I can trust the Lord to know when to send me promptings to act- even if it is not before something tragic happens.

The Lord is omnipotent. Do we trust in His power?

Do we trust in the power of the resurrection? Was He able to overcome death? Do you trust He had the power to give a truly infinite Atonement? The Atonement covers not just our sins, but also other afflictions. Do you trust that He can heal invisible wounds? Is God’s power dependent on others? Imagine, if someone were to push you and you got hurt, does your body require the other person to say sorry and make it up to you to start healing? Granted if they don’t say sorry or do anything to change, you may not trust them as much and keep your distance. Likewise, do you trust that Christ has the power to heal you despite outside influences?

D&C 122:7 reads: ““if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” All “shall be for thy good.” Do we trust that God’s power can make all things be for our good and do what seems impossible? Can He turn water into not just wine, but excellent wine? Can He make a virgin give birth? Can He make someone past the age of bearing children, have a child? Can he part a sea so completely that the waters that were in the ground dry up too and we can walk through a sea on dry ground? Will He make our afflictions good somehow? The answer is yes.

I think of Moses who did not fully trust the Lord when he worried about his ability to be a prophet. In Exodus 4:10-12, “…but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth?... Have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” The Lord knew Moses and He knows us. He knows our weaknesses, but it doesn’t matter, He is capable of helping us BECOME more. The Lord was willing to help Moses BECOME a better speaker, but Moses doubted and the Lord graciously told Moses that his brother could be his spokesman instead. My mission reminds me of the Lord’s power. I was very shy growing up, some of you may remember that, and although I knew I wanted to serve a mission, I was terrified of knocking on doors. Before every door I ever knocked on, throughout my whole mission, I would pause and say a quick prayer for help. And talking to people got easy to the point where some people laughed in disbelief when I said I used to be shy. The Lord helped me become more as I turned to Him for help.

Do we trust that His perfect power is more than our power? On my mission I met a lady, whose husband was taken to jail and their home was ransacked. Her husband did not believe in banks and everything had been gone through including their safe. When we came over to teach her, she was crying about how she didn’t know how she was going to take care of her kids, let alone find money for bail. Then she stopped suddenly and exclaimed, “We’re behind on tithing!” She went through her house and I watched her open the pantry where one can of food remained, and her living room where game systems and tvs had violently been taken. I watched her check under couches and mattresses, and in their almost empty safe, and she collected random coins and one dollar bills. Then I watched her empty her wallet and purse and she filled out a tithing slip she had. I asked her what she was going to do without the money, and she looked at me and said, “I need the Lord’s help more than this little bit of money would help me.” And the Lord did help her. Do we trust that the Lord can do more than we can? That His help is more important than what our arms of flesh can do?

Many times the Lord asks us to trust Him first. Like with paying tithing. I think of a small village in Paraguay. Due to a river changing course, they had no land to their name. Their houses were made from scraps and mud. Their water wasn’t safe and killed a lot of their young children when switching to water from breastmilk. They had little food and made hardly anything. They needed everything they made and more, yet the whole village paid a full tithing. The Lord, via His Church and faithful members blessed them with a church and a school, and even some of their more temporal needs with dental health and better homes and water. They knew the Lord could do more with their small means than they could, so it was worth the sacrifice to show their trust in the Lord and His power. Then there’s fasting. There is a scripture in Ezra 8:21 about fasting, “Then I proclaimed a fast there…that we might afflict ourselves before our God…” and the footnote for afflict says “humble”. They were fasting to humble themselves. To acknowledge that we need the Lord’s help more than the help food can do for our body for those few meals. I also think of the story of Elijah who is told that a certain widow has been commanded to sustain him. He gets there and asks for water and then asks for bread. Then the widow tells him her dire situation—that she has a handful of meal, a little oil and was going to gather two sticks, eat them and then she and her son would die of starvation. I wonder what Elijah was thinking. Surely the Lord would send him to someone who had the means to sustain him, right? But He trusts that the Lord knows best and trusts that the woman will be blessed for obeying if she was commanded to help and that she will be capable of sustaining him as well. And he says in 1 Kings 17:13, “Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son”. Why are we always asked to trust first? Perhaps it is so we can more easily see the miracle. She likely emptied all her meal and oil to make him a cake, like my friend emptied everything she had to pay tithing. Then when they realize they have nothing, there is no option, but that help comes from the Lord. The widow comes back after giving Elijah a cake. She trusted him, even if she had her doubts. She went back to what was likely now an empty container and is able to make more for her and her son and Elijah throughout the remainder of the famine. Nothing but the power of the Lord could’ve done that. She trusted in His power and in the prophet.

Do we trust that the Lord has power to do things that don’t seem possible to us? I love the story of Abraham and Isaac. In Genesis 17:18-19 Abraham is being told he and his posterity will be blessed and Abraham says, “O that Ishmael might live before thee!” And God essentially tells him no, not through Ishmael, when he says, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Then in 22:2 after Isaac is indeed born to a mother who was past the age of childbearing, and before he has any seed, God says, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering…” Imagine being Abraham, who is promised that he will be blessed through his son Isaac and Isaac’s seed, but then the Lord tells him to sacrifice that son, before he has the chance to have seed. That makes no sense. Yet Abraham’s trust was such that he trusted in the Lord to keep His promises. Somehow. If the Lord asks you to take a day off of work, and you can do so without losing your job, but you need to money from working—do you trust Him? If the Lord asks us to read scriptures and pray daily, but it’s been a hard day and surely God would understand if we missed… but the thing is, it isn’t about God understanding. Perhaps it is something He tells us to do because WE need it. If the Lord asks us to do something that seems like it would be contrary to what He has promised; if the Lord asks us to do something that doesn’t make sense to us—do we trust that the Lord will keep His promises? Somehow?

The Blessings of Trusting God can be summarized in two scriptures for me. In Jeremiah 17: 7-8, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” The second scripture is my Mission President’s favorite scripture in Psalms 37 which he summarizes with “Trust God, Do Good, and Don’t Worry”. I used to think it was 3 separate things to do, but I have started to realize that if we do good and fully trust God, then we know we’re doing our best and we trust God to make up the rest and the result is, we have nothing to worry about.

I hope that my talk made you think of a way you could trust the Lord more. It does not matter if we do not fully trust the Lord. The great prophet Moses struggled; Job, who was called perfect, struggled; God’s chosen people, Israel, struggled; what matters is that we improve; that we maintain a steady course. I also hope that you feel more capable of trusting the Lord. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is no respecter of persons. Just as He helped people in the scriptures, He will also help you. The word ‘Remember’ is used 240 times in the Old Testament- may you remember both the examples in the scriptures that show you that God is there for you, but also remember the times in your own life when God has proven to you that He loves you and that you can trust Him. God is perfect. He is a perfect parent with perfect love for each of His children. Trust that He is mindful of His children, even when He doesn’t intervene. Trust in His perfect knowledge including His knowledge of timing. Trust in His limitless, infinite power to not just put a bandaid on situations but to heal so completely that it’s as if nothing ever happened. I hope that I can work on trusting the Lord more and I hope you will too. I’m thankful for an omnipotent, omniscient, loving, mindful, trustworthy Heavenly Father and for this gospel. I’m thankful for the scriptures and our prophets today. I’m thankful for the Atonement, the Resurrection and my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.