WHERE DO YOU PLACE YOUR TRUST

Psalm 115:4&8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ... They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

To trust some personor some thing, is to rely on thatperson or object to deliver us from something feared or bring about a desirable result. We place our confidence in the integrity of that person or thing. We have a confident expectation of favorable guidance and well being. A teacher or a physician, a parachute or an elevator are examples of people or things we trust.

Often we place our trust in the wrong person or thing. In the text, trust was placed in idols of silver and gold which were made by men in their own image. They were probably life-like in many ways. They had mouths, eyes, ears, noses, hands and feet, yet they could not speak, see, hear, smell, hold, or walk. Idols were inanimate and could do nothing physically for mankind. Still, idols were worshiped in place of the true God. People placed trust in idols rather than God. The irony is that the idol makers took gold, silver, other metals, stone and wood, all of which were made by God, the Creator of all things, and made images to worship in place of the true God who created them in the first place. Biblical history, as well as secular history, records the worship of idols as being prevalent in all ages.

Idolatry is only one example of mankind misplacing their trust. There are many other examples recorded in the bible where people are taught to place their trust in God rather than other people or things. In reading the historical records of Israel entering and taking the land of Canaan, it is evident that God's hand and guidance was the reason for their success. It would have been easy for Israel to develop a confidence in their own military power as they routed the armies of Canaan. They could have boasted in their "more modern" military vehicles and weapons. The psalmist made this confession of reliance on the power of God: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But Thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us (Psalm 44:6-7).

Sometimes trust has been placed in wealth. Psalm 49:6-7 says, They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, not give to God a ransom for him. Regardless of our status in life or the extent of our wealth, we cannot redeem our own life, the life of our brother, or, for that matter, the life on anyone else, with riches. Verse 8 indicates that the soul is too precious to be purchased with silver and gold.

In other passages, such as Ezekiel 33:13, Jeremiah 17:5 and Psalm 146:3, trust was placed in self righteousness, one's own works, military leaders, and other men instead of placing trust in God. Reading, and studying these passages in depth, will help us understand our need to place our total trust in God.

Let's ask the question again: Where should we place our trust? Regardless of the situation or need, we should always place our trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we should trust in God for guidance, rather than our own understanding, and He will direct our paths. Psalm 37:3-5 says that we are to trust God and do good and He will provide us with a dwelling place and food to sustain us. However, verse 5 stresses that we are to make this trust a total commitment to God. Psalm 5:11 says that those that put their trust in the God will be rewarded with His favor and will find joy on earth.

Rightly placing your trust in God is something that can, and should be, learned. Study God's word. It is filled with examples of mankind misplacing their trust in other people and things. In doing so, these people are idol worshipers rather than worshipers of God. Where do you place your trust? These few passages should teach us that our trust should be in God. He is our Creator, the Sustainer of our lives here on earth, and our righteous Judge that will determine where our souls will spend eternity. God deserves our complete trust!