Commentary: Trust in the Lord

Ralph Fudge

There are many people, even some Christians, who want to blame God when He permits things to happen that they do not understand or approve of.”

Proverbs 3:5 is one of my favorite proverbs. It states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” I use this verse often when asked, “Why did God let this happen?” I also state that I do not understand why God did this or that. But I emphasize trusting Him regardless.

There was a lady in my church who lost a grown son in an automobile accident. She said that she would never forgive God. And she never set foot in any church since that time. Her husband, by contrast, continued as a good member, serving both as deacon and Sunday school teacher.

What the woman did not understand is that God is sovereign and has His own reasons why everything happens. And He owes no one any explanation. God can and will do whatever He sees fit. Our place is simply to trust Him, regardless.

There are many people, even some Christians, who want to blame God when He permits things to happen that they do not understand or approve of. They need to remember that Romans 8:28 promises, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The Apostle Paul was trying to encourage those who might be suffering. He told them that the suffering they were enduring could not compare with the glory to be revealed in them.

I have heard people say that God needed the man or woman or even the child that He took. The truth is that God has never needed anything at all. The best explanation, especially when a saint dies, is that we just do not know. Leave it at that and continue trusting Him.

Why do people, even Christians, not remember and lean on the words of wisdom found only in God’s Word? They do not know His Word. Why? Few people, even Christians, study God’s Word, the Holy Bible. To live in God’s Spirit and enjoy the comforts He provides requires knowledge of His Word. And that requires opening His book and reading it regularly. Often, I have, while preaching, held up my Bible closed and proclaimed, “This is of no use.” Then I open the Bible and state, “This is the most valuable thing in the world.” I have also stated many times that one’s Bible is the most valuable single thing he can possess.

I exhort my congregants to read at least a little of their Bible every single day. I rather think most of them do not do this, but I feel it is my job to try to get them to do it. The Bible is such a wealth of knowledge and wisdom! It behooves every Christian to not only read but also to study it often. Someone once said that reading is a wise use of time. I amend this by saying that reading your Bible is a very wise use of your time.

So the next time you hear anyone question God and ask why He let something happen, simply admit you do not know. But emphasize to him that we must still trust in the Lord with all our heart. Add that we must not judge God by leaning on our own inadequate understanding.

___

Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.