A. T. M.: ALWAYS TRUST ME By Pastor Tunde Ojewole PhD I recently came across some interesting Biblical Mathematics. This could not be a coincidence: Shortest Chapter in the Bible = Psalm 117 Longest Chapter in the Bible = Psalm 119 Center Chapter of the Bible = Psalm 118 There are 594 Chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 Chapters after Psalm 118. 594 +594 = 1188. The Center verse of the Bible is Psalm 118:8 –“It is better to TRUST in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” God is saying: ALWAYS TRUST ME! This is obviously the central message of the whole Scriptures. Without this, “it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6)! The real ATM means: ALWAYS TRUST ME! For every situation in your life, God says: ATM! There is no problem or challenge in which you cannot use this divine ATM. Whatever the need, Christ can meet it! “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Carry your ATM at all times, to all places. Cash-in on God’s promises. They have never failed or run out of currency! In every circumstance in your life, family, education, relationship, or business God says: ATM: ALWAYS TRUST ME! Use God’s ATM! ALWAYS. Not sometimes but all the time; in all situations and circumstances. You will never find yourself in a place or situation where you cannot use it. “For with God, NOTHING will be impossible!” (Luke 1:37). Faith is a universal currency! When you carry it with you, it works in every continent and every economy and every socio-political situation. It always works! “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chron 16:9). TRUST. To “trust” is not the same as to “believe.” Years ago visitors at a national mints company were told by a guide that if they first dipped their hands in water, a ladle of molten metal could be poured over their outstretched palms without burning them. A husband and wife were part of this group. Perhaps you would like to try it, the guide said to the husband. The husband drew back sharply, No thanks, he said. Ill take your word for it. The mint employee turned to the wife. Would you like to try it? She replied, Certainly. She pulled up the sleeve of her blouse and thrust her hand into a bucket of water. Calmly she held her hand out while the metal was poured over it. Its obvious that the husband believed at one level, but he wasnt willing to put his belief to the test. The wife believed on a completely different level. She was willing to take a risk. Belief is a mental accent while trust is putting your belief into action. The story is also told of a tight ropewalker walking across the Niagara Falls between the Canadian and American ends of it. He asked the thousands of onlookers if they believed that he could do it. After he did, they all echoed that they believed! He pushed a wheelbarrow across on the tight rope back and forth and people also agreed that he could do it because they saw him do it! He loaded the wheelbarrow with blocks and went across to their amazement. Since they all believed his abilities, he asked for a volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow to be pushed across the Niagara. None who had said they believed him was willing to act on it. Why? They believed him but did not trust him! Similarly, not all who say they believe in Jesus truly trust Jesus! God says: ATM: ALWAYS TRUST ME! Joshua and his people also were faced with the risk of crossing the dangerous, flood-swollen Jordan (Joshua 3:13). God had previously opened the Red Sea when the people had to cross it, but this time the priests had to step into the water first and trust the Lord to open the way as they went. They had to get their feet wet and trust that God would honor their faith. Many Christians dislike taking risks. They want the way opened before they move out for God. Often He graciously honors their desire. But we must remember that a risk is only a risk if God doesn’t go with you. We need to step out and trust that God will confirm our faith at the appropriate time. If your way seems blocked today, step forward by faith. Be willing to get your feet wet and wait for God to respond. God honors wet feet, not cold feet. Whom should we trust always? ME. That is, God Almighty. God has proved Himself trustworthy. Years ago, a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging storm at sea. Seeing his wife’s fear, the man tried to comfort her. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, “How can you be so calm?” He stepped back and drew his sword. Pointing it at her, he asked, “Are you afraid of this?” “Of course not!” she answered. “Why not?”- he inquired. “Because I know you love me too much to hurt me,” she said. He replied, “I also know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He loves us too much to fail to care for us!” Bible says Job had that same trust (Job 13:15). He had lost his children, his wealth and his health, and then his wife also turned against him. Yet Job continued to trust that God had a purpose in everything that happened to him. In Job’s eyes, the important issue was not what was happening but whose hand was behind it. If God did it, Job knew he could trust it. Often our trust is based on the “what” rather than the “who.” We focus on the event rather than the One who controls that event. Therefore, in the midst of sore trials and tribulations while we may not understand why our loving Heavenly Father would allow such grief, we still confess: “even though He slays me, yet will I trust Him. His infinite wisdom and goodness will turn the most difficult circumstances of my life into His good and mine. When you are facing life’s most severe trials, focus on the character of God. Build your trust on who God is, not on what is taking place. When you know who He is, you never have to worry about what He will allow to happen. Trust is based on character, not circumstances. God has given you His ATM: ALWAYS TRUST ME! I have found this so true in my life. Whether it was planning my wedding with no money at all or going for further studies abroad penniless or returning home amidst countless uncertainties. I can testify to the efficacy of God’s ATM: ALWAYS TRUST ME! I implore: use God’s ATM! Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: [email protected] or call/SMS 08058299434/08060376577 Answers to 23/03/14 quiz 1. Tent- Josh 7:21-24 2. Sheba- 1 kings 10:1 3. Amos 1:1-Tekoa, shepherd Quiz for the week 1. Who was Ahasuerus’ wife before Queen Esther? Supply the scripture. 2. The just shall live by… Fill in the space and supply the scripture. 3. Who fled to Egypt when Solomon sought to kill him? Locate the scripture.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 18:36:40 +0000
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