In scripture, we read much about trusting and having faith. It is interesting to note how the Hebrew word for trusting is the same word for took refuge. Example 1: Our Lord Jesus In Psalm 16, the usual rendering reads: "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust." Now, the Hebrew interlinear I have renders thus: "keep me, O God, for I took refuge in thee." So, to me, it appears to be a clear example how trust is active. Now, this Psalm 16 is a Messianic Psalm, one proof being that it also refers to the assurance of One who knew "my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Verses 9 and 10). This is also verified from Luke's writing in the book of Acts, one instance being in chapter 13: "Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.....But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption." (verses 35 and 37). We have another commentary on our Lord's trust in scripture itself, in Hebrews ch.5 v 7: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;". Well, you could hardly say that the Lord Jesus here was being passive in His trust! No: He excercised fleeing for refuge in prayer to His God. Example 2: Hezekiah In 2 Kings chapters 18 and 19 we read how the king of Assyria came against Jerusalem. His attack, however, never went beyond a verbal one. Chapter18 v 17 tells us: "And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field." Well, by reading on we discover that Rabshakeh then attempted to intimidate the Israelites and king Hezekiah, by suggesting that Jehovah was no more able to defend Israel, than were the false gods of the other nations. Hezekiah's response is to trust in Jehovah. But his trust was no mere head thought; he didn't just smile and say, "I'm trusting in Jehovah". No. In chapter 19 v1 to 4, we read his response, and it is far from passive trust: "And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD." By reading on, we discover that Hezekiah sends his cry of distress to Jehovah via the prophet Isaiah. Jehovah sends him an answer of assurance. In v 9, Rabshakeh sends another verbal attack, this time in the form of a letter. Now, when Hezekiah read it, we don't read of his saying: "Oh, well. Jehovah has assured me that the king of Assyria will be killed. I'll be all right: I'll trust Jehovah.". Now, whilst the starting point is mental recognition that we can trust in God, we should still bring it to Him, and cry to Him. That's what Hezekiah does, see v 14 to 19.. "And
Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the
messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the
house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. His prayer continues to verse 19. What a great prayer of appeal to Jehovah! Finally, we hear the "word of Jehovah against Senacherib king of Assyria", see verses 20 to 34. Notice how great and long a word it is! Jehovah keeps His word exactly as promised: His angel does all the killing necessary, v 35 onwards. "Be
merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my
soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy
wings will I make my refuge, until these
calamities be overpast. |
