TUESDAY, APRIL 7
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT2)
MY FATHER CAN ALWAYS BE TRUSTED
Jesus had just endured the crucifixion and the penalty for our sins. What we don’t find is Jesus complaining or questioning the motives of His Father. What we see is trust. “I entrust my spirit.” When teaching His followers about the Father, Jesus wanted them to know that God could be trusted as they faced intense persecution, even death: “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 CEV).
A family went to a lake for a vacation along a lake. A dad was working by the boathouse while his 12-year-old and 3-year-old were playing on the dock. The older brother was in charge of watching his younger brother but got distracted. Little Billy decided to check out the fishing boat at the end of the dock. Billy put his foot in the boat, but the boat shifted, and he fell in. The older brother screamed for help, and dad came running. He jumped in but couldn’t find Billy. The dad took another gulp of air and went under again, feeling everywhere for his son. On his way up for another gulp of air, Billy’s Father felt Billy with his arms clinging tightly to the posts under the dock. He pried Billy loose and took him up for air. When everyone had calmed down, Billy’s dad asked him why he was clinging to the post underwater. Billy replied, “I was just waiting for you, Dad, I was just waiting for you.” The little boy trusted his dad, the same way we can trust our Heavenly Father, no matter the circumstance.
Reflection
Can you think of a time when you or someone you know pushed past fear and took a bold step to follow Jesus? How did that event affect your faith? What do you fear right now? What is one practical thing you can do this week to remind yourself not to be afraid and trust in your Heavenly Father?
Praise
The prophet Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT2). Praise God for being a solid foundation who brings peace when the storms of life come against you and your house.
