A trust issue

I was saddened today to learn that a young man from our city committed suicide at the age of 20. It is always a tragedy to hear of these things especially when it is so close to our own homes and in our city. This young man graduated from Leo Hayes High just a year and a half ago. My thoughts and more importantly my prayers are with his family and friends as they grieve this tragedy.

I was spending some quiet time tonight in God's presence, asking Him to show me more of Himself. I have been thinking a lot recently about the word trust. How much do I trust God? Do I trust Him or just talk the talk? I asked the Lord to teach me what it means to truly trust Him. I feel that when we truly trust Him, we don't have to worry about things or try to fix them for Him. I asked the Lord to lead me to scripture that I could meditate on. He led me to Psalm 16. 


I have been reading a book called "I am not but I know I am" by Louis Giglio. In it he focuses on the fact that he knows he is not God, but that he knows "I AM". When we place "I AM" in front of our challenges we can face anything, Why? Because "I AM" is greater than all our problems, fears, setbacks, losses and victories. "I AM" of course refers to God.


In this book, Giglio teaches a method of studying the Bible by just focusing on one word or verse and meditating on it. I have decided to take on that challenge and apply this to the scripture in Psalm 16


Pslam 16:1 "Preserve me, Oh God, for I take refuge in you"


Let me share with you what God has shown me from simple prayer and meditation on His Word.

King David asks God to do something for Him right away, to protect him, cover him and watch over Him. In this life we are unlikely to ever ask anyone to watch anything or protect something unless we have a deep trust in them. David is making a declaration, "I trust you." That is why he can take refuge in Him.
So often in life we need to find a safe place. It is easy to go to a lot of different places to find protection, but there is no place better to turn to than "I AM"
At times people will tell us about a safe place to go, but how can we know if it really is a safe place? I think there are two ways:
1. We have had to experience it ourselves and found out that it is true, or
2. In times of an emergency in our lives, we are willing to trust what others say and run to it.
What confidence we can have when we find that place of real refuge. On the other side what fear and worry we have when we can't find that place of real refuge and trust. It is sad when we turn to so many other places for refuge. It can feel safe for a moment or so, but then it loses it's protection.
In King David's situation and life he seemingly had all he needed for refuge, but he knew they were not true places of refuge. Here are some faulty places to put our trust: (remember that King David had all of these but he knew he couldn't trust in them)

• money
• buildings
• fame
• investments (he had lots of gold)
• great career
• lots of friends

Brothers and sisters, who or what are you taking refuge in? Is it something you can truly trust? Put your trust in Him, just like King David did when he said, "I TAKE refuge in you!!!"