Rules of the Road - Part 2

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. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV). The fear of being duped is one of the greatest struggles we face on a daily basis. What if they is not who they say they are? What if they are only after my money? I'm sure there are a few those type questions that you have asked yourself, and what's interesting is that we all want to believe, don't we? We really want to believe. Today’s devotional is about trust. It’s the next “rule for the road.” Recently, Former Speaker Of The House Newt Ginghrich told FOX News that what was once considered to be a "cover-up" of major proportions in Iraq concerning the Weapons of Mass Destruction, has turned up something very interesting. It seems that where the powers to be thought that the Iraqi Government might keep kind of shoddy records just the opposite is true. It turns out that they kept extremely accurate records, and the investigating team has uncovered a money laundering scandal to the tune of over $50 billion. That's right $50 billion. Included in the scandal was said to be the French Government and the United Nations. Just about 30 days ago the Canadian government found itself in a scandal tipping the scales at over $100 Million. Here in the U.S., besides Martha Stewart, we have heard of nothing but scandal after scandal, and identity theft on the rise, it's no wonder we are skeptical almost to the point of paranoia. But what troubles me are those who claim to be believers. These "new age" believers are calling the masses to them, and creating new chapter and verse on what the Bible "really" says, and they are causing men and women who once just simply believed to "doubt" that they are even saved, and what's worse, if they are, what does it really mean? Our text reminds us once again of the basics. It really is a matter of trust! Let me just ask the question. Do you believe in God? Do you believe that He sent His only Begotten Son, and that He lived the life of a carpenter's son, and then was rushed through 3 years of ministry here on the earth only to be beaten, scourged, spat upon, crucified, and then on the third day just as He said, rise again? Do you believe it? We must not only through our judgment "believe" that there is an ever-ruling and compassionate hand of God ordering and guiding us in all our affairs; but we must come to a place as the psychologists say, that we "own it", and live our lives in that the "presence" of Him at all times. We must seek His pleasure and design to do His Will; that just happens to be something else that is inbred - knowing when we are out of fellowship with Him, and out of His will. As believers, we must come to a place where seek Him, and believe that His Will is what is best, and that according to His promise, if we love Him, and serve Him, we will have everlasting life. With entire submission and satisfaction, we must daily learn to depend upon him to perform "in us" all things that are good for us, and to lean not to our own understanding. It's interesting to think of how many times we think that in and through our own lives we can work things out on our own, without God, and "make" everything turn out right. Those who truly know themselves - understand that to place trust in their own ways is like owning half a round-trip ticket. You may get where you going in life, but how do you get home? Rule #2: You must trust Him!