The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1956-05-31
oneiie
Trusting God
Matthew 6.8-15, 1881

Matthew 0.0-l0, 1851
The Christian Faith is a prac-
tical way of life. 1t is not only
THE way of life, it also enables
one to live that life.
The teachings of Jesus Christ,
the Son OF God, condemn a mere
external show of religion (Mat-
thew 8:l-7). They are not the
foundation of a system of cere-
monies and rituals. They are the
basis for everyday living. The
Christian life is one lived with
Jesus Christ as Lord. His will is
uppermost in the individuals
thoughts. The normal Christian
life is one lived in complete
trust in God.
1t is one thing to talk about
our faith in Jesus Christ and
trusting the Lord, it is another
thing to practice trusting GOD
for everything.
Many are willing to trust God
for their salvation, but they are
not willing to trust Him in every
day affairs - for their personal
and family needs, for their bust
ness, for their social life.
As we read through the sixth
chapter of the Gospel record
given by Matthew, we observe
at least three truths. First we
note Oversees 8-lO that trust in
God is shown in the way we
pray. True prayer begins with
the worship of God. We acknoW-
ledge His holiness, His power,
His grace. We praise Him for
His goodness and wisdom and
mercy. We tell Him of our love
for Him. In other words we
adore Him; He is the object Of
our affections. ''Hallowed be
Thy name" Thy kingdom
come" If our heart is right, we
put the interests of the kingdom
of God before merely personal
interests. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven" Real
trust in God accepts beforehand
the Fathers will. Give US this
day our daily bread" Our petit
tionS concern present needs,
leaving the future to the Fathers
care and love.
Secondly, we see that trust in
God is shown by ones attitude
toward material possessions
Oversees 1924. Nowhere do we
read that God condemns a per
son for being rich in earthly
goods. In fact, some of Gods
saintliest instruments have been
men and women of wealth. But
the one who really trusts God
does not set his heart on material
possessions. They are not his
goal in life. They are not his
life. He is not motivated by
covetousness. His desire is to
do the will of God and to use
his possessions for the glory of
God. He and all that he has are
at Gods disposal. First Timothy
6:5-l2, 1919; Luke 3:ll; Ephes-
ians 4:28 may help us to form
the right attitude toward mater
ial possessions and do that which
is pleasing to God.
Finally, in verses 25 through
81, we learn that real trust in
God is revealed by a freedom
from worry. The believers life
is precious in Gods sight (25D.
He has a higher place in creation
than the plants and birds (26,
28), so if God cares and provides
for those on the lower plane,
how much more will He provide
for those on the higher. Also,
nothing is gained by worry (27).
Putting an undue emphasis on
food and clothes, in effect say
ing, Il am too busy earning a
| living; ! do not have time for
God or anything else" is heath
eniSh. 1t is idolatry, therefore
lungodly and immoral 1t hurts
the individual mentally, physi-
callY and spiritually and socially
| Jesus antidote for worry is
found in verse 33: "As your first
duty keep on looking for His
| (God's) standard of doing right
and for His will, and then al
these things will be yours be.
Sides (William's Translation).
So, let us trust God in every.
day matters as well as for oul
salvation. Let us honor Him with
our life as well as with our lips
Roy E Wikander