3 scriptures that show
God can be trusted
During my senior year of college, I realized I had never truly trusted in Jesus — and I obsessively questioned Him and His Word in order to figure out whether I could trust Him. At the end of this long, miserable crisis, I gave my life to Christ in June 2010.
About a year and a half later, my questions came back. I was saved, but I eventually felt almost as lost as I had during my senior year.
Then in fall 2013, I started seeing a Christian therapist named Lacy Deese here in metro Jackson. Her professional counsel points me to Christ and the sound mind He’s given me (1 Timothy 1:7).
That’s one reason I’m so excited about our first-ever Fear to Faith Women’s Retreat, coming up October 31 (see info below). I want other believers to find mental freedom in Christ.
God can use a women’s retreat, a therapist, or even medication to help us. However, I recently heard this truth from Dr. Tony Evans: God is the Source, and everything else is just a resource! Ultimately, our peace and rest come from knowing who God is. He can be trusted — exhale in that!
Here are three scriptures that have helped me on my journey to and with our Source. With each passage, I’ve highlighted God’s promise and how we should respond.
◼”And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” – 1 John 5:11, ESV
John wrote this passage to assure believers of their salvation. But even for unbelievers, this verse shows the gift that salvation is. God gave it. We didn’t earn it. Anyone who trusts in Christ’s death for their sins is saved (see John 3:16).
His promise: He has given us eternal life in Christ.
Our response: Draw near to God, whether for the first time by trusting in Christ, or for the millionth time as we seek to love and enjoy Him more.
◼ “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” – Revelation 12:11a, KJV
Jesus’ blood shed on the cross was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices for sin — He took care of it once and for all. If we’re covered by His blood through faith in Him, God no longer listens to the devil’s accusations against us.
The word of our testimony is also powerful, because it points to what He has done for us — again, particularly in His death and resurrection.
His promise: We overcome the devil, sin, death and hell by the blood of Jesus.
Our response: Remember what Christ has done for us, especially on the cross. Live as though we have victory — because we do!
◼ “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7, KJV
In 2010, when I quit following every whim of my obsessive-compulsive thoughts, I still couldn’t make the leap of faith to Christ on my own. God had to do it in me. So I asked Him to, and I kept asking. And He answered!
Keep in mind, Jesus is talking about “asking, seeking and knocking” for good things in this passage (see verse 11). Only God defines what’s good for us. But if we ask for what He says is good — like faith, obedience or godly wisdom — He’ll give it to us. Period.
His promise: He provides everything that’s good for us, especially when we ask!
Our response: ASK HIM FOR IT.
I pray these scriptures will help you as they’ve helped me, and that your thoughts would be marked by trust in Christ — whatever it takes. Something tells me that’s a good thing, so He will do it!
3 must-reads in this issue
● Our cover story on Elbert and Karen McGowan, pastor and first lady at Redeemer Church, PCA, in Jackson.
● Our interview with “Voice” winner Todd Tilghman of Meridian.
● Libbo Crosswhite’s Modern Motherhood column on trusting the slow work of God.
2 things to know about
● Fear to Faith Women’s Retreat, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. October 31 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison and via livestream. Visit bit.ly/fear2faith2020 for tickets and more info.
● Christian Leaders of the Future scholarship program for high-school seniors.
