Phil Peterson taught that learning to trust God is key to missions. He gave the example of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16, how he trusted God at the beginning of his reign.
Scripture Texts
2 Chronicles 16; Psalm 81:6-10
Main Points or Ideas
- Trust God, Not Man - King Asa started his reign well, trusting God when outnumbered two-to-one by the Ethiopians, and God delivered him. However, twenty-six years later when threatened by Israel, Asa trusted King Ben-hadad of Aram instead of God. The prophet Hanani rebuked him, reminding him that "the eyes of Yahweh move to and fro throughout the earth, that he may strongly support those whose heart is wholly devoted to him." Even when rebuked and later diseased, Asa continued trusting in man rather than God.
- Trust God When You Are Needy - God tested Israel at the waters of Meribah when they were thirsty in the wilderness. Instead of trusting God, they grumbled and complained, asking "Is Yahweh among us or not?" God patiently provided water, but Israel failed the test by complaining instead of trusting.
- Trust God When You Don't Understand - Proverbs teaches that while man makes plans, it is ultimately God who directs his steps. We are responsible to make plans according to God's commands, but we must allow God to redirect us since we cannot fully understand His ways.
- Biblical Examples of Trust - The disciples trusted Jesus enough to leave everything and follow Him, even after witnessing His crucifixion. They obeyed the Great Commission and went to nations across the known world. Throughout Acts, we see examples of trust:
- Trust and Love Are Inseparable - We cannot truly love God without trusting Him, and we cannot worship what we do not trust. God deserves our unconditional, loyal trust because of the immense love He demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
ConclusionGod is looking to strongly support those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Him—those who trust Him completely. We need to trust God when we are needy, when we do not understand certain situations, and when everything does not go as planned. He also shows how Jesus invites us to trust Him. Jesus has the power to hold us and make a way for us, and He wants us to go and make disciples.
