“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26: 3 (NIV)
My dog Daisy isn’t the brightest. She’s a blond, fluffy terrier. But if you ask me, that is code for adorable terror! She loves barking at anything and everything and digging in the trash. She’s even been known to climb on top of the dining room table. One morning, Daisy saw a lizard in the backyard. She was so crazed that she raced through the half-opened dog door. Out she ran with a bang and a high-pitched yelp, yelp, yelp! Then she chased the lizard under our woodpile. Although I dragged Daisy inside so the lizard could escape, she kept returning to the woodpile all day. She sat there obsessively guarding it for hours. And all the while, she was pawing at it, whining and yelping.
But as hard as I laughed, God’s Spirit reminded me I often behave the same way. When I am dealing with difficult life situations, I always pray. But I don’t always trust God. You see, I am unfortunately prone to giving my problems to God, only to immediately pick them back up and refuse to let them go.
Over the years, I have learned that God doesn’t always answer my prayers when and how I ask. I’ve also seen how He constantly shows up and acts on my behalf. In fact, when I look back on my life, I see countless times when He has worked out His good plans even from seemingly bad situations. Yet, my obsessive need to find my own solution persists. Instead, I need to trust God. Trust is letting go.
Today’s key verse says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26: 3, NIV). I don’t know about you, but I could use practical steps to trust God because I need a peaceful, steadfast mind. So, I turned to David’s example in Psalms and created this acronym for TRUST.
Thankfulness
David always thanked God for his salvation, love, and help.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:4-7, NIV).
Real is ok
David was never afraid to be real with God about how he felt. He constantly poured out his sorrows and fears to God.
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2, NIV).
Use Praise to restore your soul
By reflecting on who God is and what He had already done, David calmed his mind and exchanged his anxious thoughts for praise.
“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy” (Psalm 65:8, NIV).
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 146:2, NIV).
Seek forgiveness
David may have done many great things in his lifetime. But he was also a great sinner. In his prayers, he constantly sought God’s forgiveness.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV).
Luckily, as followers of Christ, we know that we are already forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice. However, when we hold sin in our hearts, we shy away from God. Confession and repentance free us from our guilt and draw us closer to God.
Tread Where God’s Word leads
When David didn’t know what to do or where to go, he relied on God’s Word to direct his steps.
“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:104-105, NIV).
Father God, Please help me to trust in you rather than my own thoughts and ways. Help me follow David’s example to thank you, be real with you, use praise, seek forgiveness, and tread where your Word leads. And may you fill me with your peace as I trust in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
