Trust in the Lord Forever – Faith in Action

Isaiah 26:4

⁴ Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. (NIV)

There is a difference between faith and trust. Faith is confidence. It is a sense within, a feeling perhaps. Trust, however, is faith in action or behavior. Let’s consider what James has taught us:

James 2:17

¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (NIV)

When our behavior does not match the faith we claim, our faith may be dead. Yet, at the same time, when we become a Christian, we do not obey Him in every way, all the time. In fact, the Scripture is clear that as long as we are on this Earth, we will be dealing with sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8). This is why the Lord calls us to add to our faith. After we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, God’s call is to continually increase our confidence in Him and His Word, which is demonstrated as we choose to behave according to biblical principles. 

To trust in the Lord forever, throughout our lives here on earth until we arrive in Heaven, we must continually allow the Lord to increase our faith by helping us to become more obedient over time. As Christians, God has called us to a journey of spiritual growth and increasing maturity.  Here is how Peter teaches this principle:

2 Peter 1:5-7

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (NIV)

The Lord is our Rock eternal. He is our foundation upon which our life is built. He is our Protector hiding us in the cleft of the Rock, and Jesus is the Rock. However, this protection increases as we mature, allowing the Spirit to help us refine our behavior in accordance with Scripture's teachings. In faith, we act in trust. 

We say we have faith in Christ, but then He will challenge us to trust Him enough to forgive those who have hurt us. We say we have faith in Christ, but then He will challenge us to discipline our speech so that nothing comes out of our mouths except for building others up. To trust forever is to grow and mature. Then we see greater protection and blessing from His hand. 

Prayer: Lord, let me be clay in the hands of my Heavenly Potter to mold me as You will according to Your glorious Word. Amen.