The ever stable stock market of God

Due to the recent economic "crisis" I find that many people are scared, including myself at times. I see them living in a constant state of fear that they could lose everything. Worrying themselves "to death" about how they will make ends meet. They are so worried about the troubles that might come tomorrow that they can't enjoy today. They feel they can't trust anyone. They can't trust the politicians to help them through this time. After all look at the bailout plan, which was widely thought to be unwise and corrupt and yet happened anyway. They can't put any trust in business or in their possessions and wealth, thousands are losing their jobs each week. So they're constantly worrying, going through scenarios in their heads. If this happens I'll do that; if that happens I'll do this. They're all trying to figure out how to fix it themselves. They put their trust in themselves to make it. In the past I too have thought and acted the same way. But as I continue to walk with God I found out more and more that the world's way and God's way usually aren't the same. The world tells us to put our trust in our elected leaders, our country, and ourselves. But Scripture tells us we should put our trust in God. The word trust is found eighty-nine times in the NIV, fifty-three of those times it is telling of trusting God.

The first scripture that comes to mind for me is one of my father's favorites, Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. There it is, Trust in the Lord, aka trust in God. But what exactly does the word trust mean? Well a few definitions are: to rely on, to depend on, hope, reliance on the integrity strength ability etc of a person, leave in the care of. Some synonyms of trust are faith, confidence, reliance, and dependence. One definition of reliance is to be dependent on for support help and supply. A definition of dependence is require the aid of another for support. Now the Hebrew word for trust is batach, which means to hie for refuge. The definition of hie is to hasten, which means to hurry or move swiftly. And the definition of refuge is shelter or protection from danger. So you could translate it as run to the Lord for protection from your danger. Now it says to trust in Him with all your heart, not just part, not just most, but all. So we're told to completely, wholly trust in the Lord. So we should be sprinting to Him as fast as we can, knowing being confident that He can give us refuge because we only have trust in Him. Otherwise if we have trust in something or someone else our heart is torn. Then it says lean not on your own understanding. The word lean means to rely on.Now the Hebrew word for lean is sha'an, which means to support one's self. Understanding means intelligence, comprehension or interpretation. The Hebrew word for understanding is biynah, which means to separate mentally, or to discern. So scripture tells us we should not rely on ourselves and our own ability to discern, but put our full trust in God. Then it says in all your ways acknowledge him. Once again we see the word all which we already know means completely or wholly. But what exactly does he mean by ways? The definition as it pertains to our study is a course of life or conduct, a manner of living or acting. Now the Hebrew word for ways is derek, which means a trodden road. It derives from the word darak which means to tread or to walk. So ways is the path we take in life, our daily life. What about acknowledge, what exactly does that mean? Some definitions are: to admit as true, to recognize the authority or claims of, to respond to, to express thanks for. The Hebrew word for acknowledge is yada', which means to know, to ascertain by seeing, or to recognize. Now ascertain means to find out with certainty. So it means to be certain of. So in everything we do we need to be certain of and recognize the authority of God. Finally it says and he will direct your paths. Now the word direct means to guide or the fastest way to a point, straight. The word paths means way worn by footstep, or a course of conduct thought etc. The Hebrew word for will direct is yashar, it means to be straight or even, or to make or be right pleasant or prosperous. The Hebrew word for path is orach, which means a well trodden road or a caravan. It is derived from the Hebrew word arach which means to travel. So in other words He will guide you to the straight pleasant road. One more important thing to note in these verses is the term used for God. The term is Lord, which means a person in authority, a person who has rights over what he possesses. This is important to know because it tells us why we can trust in Him, why we can rely on Him. He is the highest authority there is. So let us translate it this way. Run to God for shelter and protection from danger as fast as you can, don't rely on your own knowledge and ability to discern and get yourself out of problems, but in everything you do recognize the authority of God, and He will show you the pleasant road which you should take.

The next verse that we're gonna look at is one that's a favorite of a man I greatly admire, Matthew 6:31-34. So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. So there it is, the scripture telling us not to worry. But not only is it the scripture but it is the words of Jesus. He spoke these words, so you can't say well these are just words of someone who heard God, maybe he heard Him wrong. No, these are the words of God, end of story. So there it is, telling us not to worry like the pagans do. Telling us not to be like the world. What's it say that God's way is? Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Some may be asking, "Well what does seek first his kingdom and righteousness mean? And what exactly does all these things will be given to you mean?" Well the word seek means to search for, to aim at, or to go to. First means before all others. Kingdom is a domain in which someone rules. Righteousness is the state of being righteous, righteous is morally upright, without guilt or sin, morally justifiable. So using just what we can find in a dictionary we find that it means before you do anything else go to the place where God is in control and aim to be morally justifiable in God's eyes. But what if we look to the Greek. The Greek word for first is proton, it means firstly as it pertains to time place order or importance. The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosune, which means equity of character or act. Equity means fairness or justice. The word dikaisune is derived from the Greek word dikaios, which means holy or innocent. So, now that we know this, a better translation might be; Set your sights firstly on God, make Him your top priority, aim to be morally upright, justified, and holy in his eyes above all else. If you do this God will provide you with all the things you need, he will give them freely. Yes that's right He will give them freely, if you make your priority His plan for your life. If you commit to Him and make Him your number one priority, forsaking all to follow Him. If you seek his righteousness, to be like Him above all else. If you do this He will give you all you need. You will have no reason to worry about tomorrow because there is enough for you to do today. Don't miss out on the opportunities you have to minister to people because you're too worried about what tomorrow will bring. Instead, Put your full trust in the Lord. Run to Him, set your sights on Him and Him alone . Let Him guide your Life. Surrender every aspect of your life to Him. Submit yourself to Him and His will for your life. Stop trying to hold on, stop refusing to relinquish all control. Search for what God's will for your life is and continue to do it, continue to have and build a relationship with Him. If you do this your path will be straight and pleasant, and all your needs will be provided for. Let go and allow god to mold you. Stop holding onto yourself. The Lord says ,"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30