Trust in the LORD

I have been studying Psalm 37 all year - and my particular focus is in verse 3:

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and (cultivate faithfulness)."

Psalm 37:3

When I look up the word "trust" in the original Hebrew, I learn that it means bold, careless, confident, fall down. These are certainly curious synonyms, but the one that surprises me the most is the word, careless. I would only associate careless trust with the idea of trusting someone who is untrustworthy - and that is certainly not God! But it begs me to wonder if I have the wrong connotation of the word careless?

Could trusting God be "careless" in the way that I care (worry) less?

If my trust in the LORD implies that I am able to be free of worry - then that is the kind of trust I want!

Psalm 112:7 says,

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD."

Care less - worry free - no fear. That is trusting in the LORD!

But how do I get there? How do I become free of worry, how do I care less? How can I have no fear? Especially in light of all that is happening around me - and in my life in this season where I find myself.

We are told in Matthew 6:34 "do not worry" and in Philippians 4:6 "do not be anxious". The Greek word for worry and anxious in each of these passages is "Merimneo" and it means divided or distracted. In Matthew 14, where Jesus invites Peter to walk on water with him, we get a vivid picture of this concept. Peter is able to walk on water with Jesus because his focus in on Jesus, the source of his power to do so. It is when Peter becomes distracted by the wind and the waves - the circumstances around him - that his focus becomes divided. What happens when Peter is no longer focused on his source of power (Jesus)? He sinks.

Friends, that is exactly what happens to us when we worry or fret (as it says in Psalm 37:1,7,8). When we become distracted by our circumstances and we dwell on our fears instead of the power of Jesus, we sink. When we stay focused on God and his power in our lives, we can "walk on water" with Him!

"My grace (undeserved favor) is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

How can I be free of worry or care less? How can I have no fear when the proverbial wind and waves are threatening to overcome me? I turn my eyes upon Jesus! Remember the hymn?

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

look full in his wonderful face.

And the things of this world will grow strangely dim,

in light of his glory and grace."

Friends, the wind and the waves are in the control of our Heavenly Father. The One who made them also has authority over them (and everything else!) and He will not forsake us. I can have no fear of bad news when I fully understand that there is no news that can separate me from my God - the source of my very life.

Don't be distracted! Be steadfast. Keep your eyes on the LORD and trust Him!

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

2 Chronicles 20:12