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Jesus Christ
Growing in Christ - Meditation
 
"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

What does it mean to trust in the Lord? One example of trust can be found in Psalms 32:10:

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

But steadfast love surrounds the

One who trusts in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,

O righteous,

And shout for joy, all you

Upright in heart!

(Psalm 32:10-11)

Here, it would appear that trusting in the Lord is inseparable from praising the Lord. One tends to support the other. Perhaps it would be pointing out the obvious to observe that the very essence of a worship service is singing-an expression of joy. I find this very interesting to think about, but perhaps I should stop thinking so much and start singing!

 

Another example of trust can be found in Mary's response to the angel Gabriel:

"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."

(Luke 1:38)

It is not long after this quiet, obedient statement that Mary exults in the Lord-the Magnificat:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in

God my Saviour,

For he has looked on the

humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all

Generations will call me blessed;

For he who is mighty has done

Great things for me,

And holy is his name.

(Luke 1:46-49)

Once again, it appears that trust leads to joy and praise.

 

Henri Nouwen has commented on the trust embodied by Mary:

She trusted so deeply that her waiting was open to all possibilities. And she did not want to control them. She believed that when she listened carefully, she could trust what was going to happen. To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude towards life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our own imaginings. So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God molds us according to God's love and not according to our fear.

 

Nouwen, Henri. Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader (New York: Doubleday) 1997. Edited by Robert Durback. Page 160.

 We have ample foundations for trust. We have ample foundations for praise!

 

In Trust and Praise,

Patrick McKitrick


Blessings,

Patrick.