Trust and Forgiveness
"Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:4, NASU
Little kids have a trusting heart, believing that the one they are with means for them good and not harm. It is only as they get older, and burned a few times, that they begin to realize that not all are trustworthy, and one should be skeptical of what they are told and whom they shall trust many times. Being careful these days is very necessary. Not all that appears to be light is light.
Over the years we have lost trust in several institutions, such as our government, the educational system, and even with some religious personnel and traditions we were taught in our youth. “That they had the answer, and only they” was what we were to believe. I recall when I was 18 and began to know Jesus as Lord and Savior more fully, that even though I was raised in the Catholic church in which I was supposed to have been shown the only way to heaven, not all that was said and taught was true. Man had lied to me and several million over the centuries.
Personally, I like to feel I can trust someone from the beginning when I am getting to know them, but that has several times been proven not to be wise. Either they had an agenda that was not in my best interest, or they wanted to use me for their own gain, leaving me hurt and “used up” when their time with me in the relationship was over. It is sad that this happens, but the Bible has several instances when what seemed good to start ended up being bad.
Far too many relationships end up poorly, given the fact that what one said was “love” in the beginning was really meant to only be for the benefit of the initiator. “I love you today, but tomorrow will be another story” as intentions do not end as they should.
Each of us could tell stories of how this one or that one lied, cheated, or was proven very dishonest with their words and actions. Trust is easily broken.
After being hurt too many times, we tend to hold back in giving ourselves to others in friendship. Far too many have no friends now because they are not willing to be hurt again. Understandably so.
One of my sons-in-law has told me on more than one occasion that he noticed I do not try to burn bridges with people after being wronged. My response is always, “Forgiveness is what we need to have, and often.” I need to be forgiven often, so I need to practice forgiveness often.
The Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Himself instructed us to practice forgiveness. Otherwise, we can never trust.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15, NKJV
We will never be able to trust others again if we do not practice forgiveness. We would rather choose to hang onto that hurt, which in turn becomes bitterness, and given time, results in hatred.
Trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. It takes time to learn to walk in forgiveness, and thus have lasting relationships. Laurie, my good wife, and I have a plaque on a house wall saying, “It takes time to make old friends.” The scene behind it is of the Grand Canyon. One can be sure that many rushing waters carved their way through “the soul”, but beauty resulted as time allowed forgiveness to grow, and trust thus developed.
It takes forgiveness. It takes trust. It takes both over time to have and maintain relationships. You will not have friends if you do not practice forgiveness, which allows trust to grow and flourish.
If you have unforgiveness towards another even now, I encourage you to forgive them, trusting the Lord Himself understands the hurt as even Himself was willing to die on a cross in order to forgive us. We need to be able to forgive, and trust, through His daily grace.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder, Love For His People
Message #144 in this series – in the year of our Lord 07.05.23 – “Trust and Forgiveness” – Wednesday, 3:30 pm in Charlotte, North Carolina
Love For His People Ministry. is a charitable, USA humanitarian ministry started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations, especially to and within Israel.
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