Trust in the Lord

March 14, 2008

By Dorothy Rugg

Winter was still in full force as I sat by the window one morning in January and looked out at the bird feeder. I marveled at the brilliant colors of the cardinal, blue jays and woodpeckers. I loved to watch the little chickadees, the tufted titmouse, the house wrens and the evening grosbeak.

But when I took my eyes off of the birdfeeders all I could see was dreariness — the dead grass, the barren trees, the drizzling of the rain and the cloudy skies, a look of hopelessness.

I started thinking about what happens to me when I take my focus off of the Lord. I start losing hope because I start focusing on the dreariness of life — difficult circumstances I may be going through such as tight finances, loss of a loved one, a relationship that has ended bitterly, loneliness I may feel, a friend or relative’s sickness, or any other circumstance I may find myself in that seems overwhelming.

So many Scriptures come to my mind at such times. Here are some that might encourage you the next time you struggle to keep your hope and joy alive:

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11, KJV).

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV).

I am encouraged by the promises from God’s Word whenever I shift my focus from the natural to the spiritual, knowing that I love and serve the God who said He would never leave me nor forsake me, that He is there with me in the storms and dreariness of my life. I need to trust Him.

Has your focus shifted lately? Are you weary, discouraged or afraid? I want to encourage you to run to your Heavenly Father, spend time in His presence through reading His Word, seeking His face and thanking Him for His goodness. He will put a new song in your heart. He will revive you. He will give you peace because He loves you very much.

— James and Dorothy Rugg pastor Mill City AG in Dalton, Pa.