Blame or Trust – The Presidential Prayer Team

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. – Psalm 62:8

In the process of forming any significant relationship you have most likely encountered the very natural but somewhat disturbing thought, “Can I really trust this person?” Entering the paradox of “if we are in this together, can I trust you to be honest about if we are in this together?” can become a torturous mind loop that does more to facilitate late-night anxiety than any bump in the night.

Many followers of Christ stumble over a similar hurdle in their faith. Prophets of old were regularly killed and rejected. God’s own Son was betrayed and Jesus’ disciples were scorned and oppressed. What hope do you have that God will not let your worst fears come true?

God allows suffering and Jesus explains why, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). God’s character is not on trial when bad things happen, because His very nature is redemption! He pulls life from the jaws of death in everything He touches. His nature is not only redemption but multiplication asl well. Every pain offered to Him, He reworks into a picture of grace.

Certainly, there is great suffering in the world today, but the bigger question is whether you are blaming God for letting it happen or asking Him to let you in on His plan of grace working through it. Stand confidently in God’s goodness and pray for decision-makers in America to choose wisely as they map a path for the nation through these troubled times.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
    and makes flesh his strength,
    whose heart turns away from the Lord.
⁶He is like a shrub in the desert,
    and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
    in an uninhabited salt land.

⁷“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
⁸He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

⁹The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?
¹⁰“I the Lord search the heart
    and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.”