This week's "Lyrics Breakdown" is one of my favourite songs to sing right now - "Trust in God." I love singing things like, "He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time," thinking about the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3, and I love the nods to the hymn "Blessed Assurance" in the verses: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine... Perfect submission, all is at rest.”

This one, however, sparked a lively conversation at dinner with a friend several weeks ago because of the lyrics in the bridge.

“I sought the Lord
And He heard, and He answered
That’s why I trust Him”

— Trust in God

My friend's issue was saying we only trust God because He answers our prayers. The implication being that if He doesn't, we won't trust Him. Fair point. But that's not how I think of these lyrics when I sing them. They point me to Psam 34:

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. ”

— Psalm 34:4-8

This is not a matter of asking for things from God and then deciding if I trust Him based on His response. It has been my experience over decades of knowing Christ that He is perfect in His faithfulness. I trust Him because I know this. Even when my prayers seem to go unanswered, I am confident in singing this song because He has never failed me. Lots of times, I don't understand how, or why, or when, but I'm always safe, even blessed, when I take refuge in Him. (There's a note in the margins of my bible reminding me that only people who are in trouble need to find refuge... but somehow, they are blessed. Amazing.)

From the earliest memories of my faith, I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. He showed me from day one that He is trustworthy. So, I'll be singing this on Sunday with trust in Him even though I have a long list of prayer requests that, as far as I can see, haven't been answered yet. Join me!

See you then,
Pastor Tracy

Song Credit: Trust in God by Elevation Worship