August 29: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Key Text:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5, KJV

Hymn: ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Words: Louisa M. R. Stead
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick

Those of you who have been following my journey know that I have had a challenging past. Some of the experiences of my childhood shaped the way I learned to see people, relationships and trust.

Children who experience adversity sometimes find it difficult to trust later in life. They may struggle with assurance, vulnerability and believing that people will remain present and dependable.

When the people or circumstances that should have provided safety become sources of pain, disappointment or uncertainty, we can learn to protect ourselves by becoming cautious.

Even as adults, those lessons can remain with us.

We may expect disappointment before it comes. We may hesitate to become vulnerable. We may question whether promises will be kept because experience has taught us that people can change and relationships can become uncertain.

But in the midst of all of that, the hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” reminds us that we have Someone whose presence, character and actions are constant.

Jesus.

Louisa M. R. Stead wrote the words of this beloved hymn, with music composed by William J. Kirkpatrick. Its message is simple but powerful. We can take Jesus at His Word.

There is comfort in knowing that Jesus does not change with our circumstances.

People may disappoint us, but Jesus remains faithful.

People may make promises they cannot keep, but God’s promises remain sure.

People may misunderstand us or fail us, but Jesus remains present.

When we have been hurt by people, trusting again can feel risky. Sometimes we may even carry those fears into our relationship with God.

If people have abandoned us, we may fear that He will leave too.

If people have disappointed us, we may wonder whether He will disappoint us.

If love has felt conditional, we may struggle to believe that His love is truly steadfast.

But Jesus invites us to discover something different.

He invites us to know Him for ourselves.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Trusting God does not mean that we will always understand what He is doing. It does not mean that life will be free from disappointment or pain.

Trust means that even when I do not understand, I can still believe that God is faithful.

When I cannot see the way ahead, I can trust the One who can.

When fear tells me I am alone, I can remember that Jesus has promised to remain with me.

There is comfort in knowing that I do not have to understand everything before I trust Him.

There is comfort in knowing that when my emotions are unsettled, His character remains unchanged.

“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” is more than a beautiful hymn. For someone who has struggled with trust, it can become a testimony.

The more we walk with Jesus, the more we discover His faithfulness.

We can look back and remember the prayers He answered, the strength He gave, the doors He opened and the ways He carried us through seasons we thought we would not survive.

Sometimes we only recognize His faithfulness when we look back.

There were moments when we thought He was silent, yet He was working.

There were moments when we felt alone, yet He was sustaining us.

There were moments when we wondered how we would make it, yet His grace carried us through.

Perhaps this is part of the healing Jesus offers those of us who have found trust difficult.

He does not ask us to pretend that the past did not affect us. He meets us where we are and patiently teaches us who He is.

Our past may explain why trusting is difficult, but it does not have to determine the kind of relationship we can have with Jesus.

We can learn to trust Him.

We can rest in His promises.

We can believe that His presence is constant even when we cannot feel it.

And when fear rises again, we can return to this simple truth:

It is sweet to trust in Jesus because He is faithful, His Word is sure, His love is constant, and when everything around us feels uncertain, He remains the same.

Reflection Questions

Have past experiences made it difficult for me to trust others or fully trust God?

When fear or uncertainty arises, what truths about God’s character can I hold on to?

Can I look back and identify moments when Jesus has already proven Himself faithful?

Statement

My past may have made trust difficult, but Jesus is teaching me that He is faithful. I can take Him at His Word, rest in His promises and trust His constant love.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being faithful and unchanging. Heal the places in me where trust has been difficult. Help me to take You at Your Word, rest in Your promises and remember that You are always with me. Teach me to trust You more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright Notice

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), unless otherwise indicated. Brief hymn excerpts are included for devotional reflection. All hymn copyrights remain the property of their respective authors, composers and publishers.