We Really Trust God

Jul 24, 2022    Ron Barnard

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:20-33).

Trust can be defined as - Firm belief in the character, strength, or truth of someone or something.

Trust God’s Timing

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Mathew 14:22-23

Proverbs 3:7-8 NASB
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8 NASB

Isaiah 55 8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55 8-9

Trusting God means trusting his timing.

God will always take care of us better than we can.

Trust Even when we can’t see

When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. Mathew 14:24

Circumstances cloud our perspective and vision, we must trust beyond what we can see.

Trust God’s Voice

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. Mathew 14:27

What if we stopped listening to everything around us and listened to his voice.

John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Trust God’s Character

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:28-33).

When we don't trust God, we are doubting His power and character, and He does not deserve to be doubted.

God doesn't need us to trust him for him, he wants us to trust him so that we can walk in the joy, freedom ad contentment that is only found in him.