3 MARCH
TO LOVE IS TO TRUST
“God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NLT)
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3–5, NLT)
Louisa Stead loved God and had a spiritual calling from an early age. She married a devoted man and when her only daughter, Lily was about eight years, she lost her husband while he was trying to save a boy from drowning at the seaside. Her joys were turned into utter despair and sadness filled her heart. Louisa could not support Lily and herself financially. However, God always miraculously used someone to send her food whenever she was low or had nothing to eat. She knew this was the grace of God in her time of need and trial. Her love, faith and trust in the Lord grew stronger. She later remarried and, inspired by God’s faithfulness and presence through the good and the bad, she wrote the following hymn, which William J. Kirkpatrick put into music. Let the words of this hymn inspire you:
| 1 | ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know, Thus saith the Lord. | 3 | Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life, and rest, and joy, and peace. |
| Chorus: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er, Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! | 4 | I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end |
O for grace to trust Him more.
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me, ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
ACTION: No matter the trials and temptations, resolve to trust God to work all things together for your good.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to use my challenges as stepping stones to purpose.