Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

In answering the question, “why is it better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man?” we discovered that God’s power, passion and peace is greater than mans. But it doesn’t end there we can also trust Him because of His:

• PARDON

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man because of His pardon and forgiveness. There is nothing that compares to His mercy, Psalm 103:8-13 reminds us of His compassion, that He is abounding in love and that the Lord will not keep His anger against us forever . Unlike our fellow man God does not punish us according to what we deserve but is merciful towards us. Even when we are afflicted because of our own rebellious ways He is still merciful to deliver those who cry out to Him, Psalm 107:17-21. This is in sharp contrast to the “I told you so” kind of mercy we often hear from others when we mess up. Man often does not forgive us or show much mercy to us when we fail. When David sinned he said that he preferred to fall into the hands of God rather than into the hands of men, 2 Samuel 24:10-14. Man may not rescue us when we suffer because of our mistakes but God will because His mercies are very great. Who do you trust to pardon you when you mess up? Do you need to experience the freedom of forgiveness do you need to rest in the reality of 1 John 1:9 that you can be pardoned?

•  PROMISES

We often fail to keep our promises, where we fail to follow through the Lord can be trusted because He is faithful to fulfill His promises. When it comes to man’s promises we are prone to changing our mind or even lying and denying that the promises were ever make. Numbers 23:19-23 reminds us that God is not a man that will fail to keep His word. Unlike our words which are often hollow and empty the words which come from the mouth of God will not return void but will accomplish the purpose for which they are sent, Isaiah 55:11. Not only are His words rich and full but they are also enduring, Mark 13:31 says Heaven and earth will pass away but His words will never pass away. Are you tired of broken promises do you want to put your trust in one whose word is trustworthy?

•  PROMOTION

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man because God brings purpose and promotion in our lives. God lifts us up when we humble ourselves before Him, James 4:10. We all desire to be recognized and we like to look to man for that pat on the back and that nod of recognition.  But man’s capacity to lift us up is limited to his own ability and ambition. The hand of man may lift us up in sympathy when we are in a needy state but that same hand may pull us down in jealousy when we are in a prosperous state. Man will eventually fail to lift us up because at some point his ambition will always get in the way of his compassion, he will not want us to rise higher than himself. In contrast the Lord desires to lift us up, how high you ask, Ephesians 2:6 says high enough to be seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Jesus in contrast to man is not jealous and has promised that those who believe in Him shall do even greater works than Him John 14:12. The Lord is the one who brings true and lasting promotion in our lives, but we must humble ourselves and be submitted under His mighty Hand and He will lift us up in due time I Peter 5:6. Are you tired of trying to climb the ladder, is your effort being spent on trying to be recognized? Will you look to God to promote you? Is it time to put your trust in Him?

• PRESENCE

Have you ever really needed someone to be there for you and they were not? Have you ever experienced the desperately deep loneliness and alienation that comes from being left alone?  Man’s ability to be there, to actually show up and walk through anything with us is sketchy at best.  God tells us that His presence is both constant Hebrews 13:5-6 “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and enduring Matthew 28:20 “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Even when we are unaware of His presence He is there because He will neither slumber nor sleep, Psalm 121:4-5. No person can be alert and with us all the time even if they want to be but God will be with us at all times and through all situations. His presence is not that of a fair weather friend who is there as long as all is well. Instead He will be with us in times of joy, sorrow, celebration, loneliness, disappointment, fulfillment, prosperity, poverty, health, sickness, you name the situation and He is still there. Are you tired of going it alone, of thinking someone will be there for you only to be left alone? Is it time to trade your loneliness and disappointment for the one whose presence is both comforting and constant?

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

We are always more comfortable walking by sight which makes us susceptible to placing our trust in the tangible and the temporary. It is easy for us to lean on ourselves and others instead of God. We live in a world where we trust in man’s ability to fix man’s problems which is in essence the cry of many governments. Slowly and subtly our culture is calling us to believe the lie that we can fix our own mess, that we can legislate our way out of any problem. Psalm 118 is an important reminder of where to place our trust and where not to place it. Trust is a matter of where or in what our confidence rests and we are being asked on an unprecedented scale to place our trust in mankind despite the overwhelming evidence that we are not trustworthy.

Over the years we have tried to use several vehicles to convince ourselves that we can fix our own problems. Our last failed vehicle that we championed, technology, was supposed to fix many of our problems by giving us more time for relationships and relaxation. It was supposed to help us arrive at the destination of more connectedness while also being less stressed, but like all the others it broke down on route. So rather than admit failure we have replaced it with the vehicle of information, but at some point after we have put it through its paces we will have to admit that this vehicle will also fail leaving its hopeful occupants broken and bruised. But with every vehicle crash we still refuse to acknowledge the real problem, us, and so like the crash test dummies that we are, we will keep trying. You see behind every vehicle that we trust in there is a fundamental flaw; we are the ones building these vehicles. The issue isn’t the vehicle it’s the one building it, the real problem is that in trusting in our vehicles we are trusting in our own creations and that is simply trusting in self. Behind all the hype of the latest launch vehicle is the truth that trust in self will always bring tragedy. The bible reminds us that it’s not enough to just abandon such folly, we have to replace it, replace our trust in self with trust in our Savior. The real reason we trust in man is that we are arrogant and proud, we want the recognition and the glory. It’s also a great way to pretend that God doesn’t exist or at least ignore Him a little while longer.

So here is the question, why is it better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man? Because of His:

• POWER

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man because God is all powerful. Matthew 19:26 says that the things which are impossible with man are possible with God.  Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us that because of the God’s power He has promised to show us great and mighty things when we call upon Him. Job experienced the saving power of God and tells us that it is God that does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things, miracles without number. Are you tired of trusting in a pitiful power? Is it time to rely on His unlimited power, to trust in His ability not yours?

• PASSION

Man’s love is often so conditional, human love changes all the time and comes with many strings attached. Yet there is something in us that yearns to be loved and accepted not for what we can do or who we are but without condition. Only the love of God is unconditional and everlasting, Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us that “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man because God’s passion and love towards us is everlasting. The Love of God never changes and if God loved us so much that He did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us then surely He will provide everything else that we need  Romans 8:32. God will make all things work together for good in our lives, we are His kids and He so passionate for us that He has lavished His love on us I John 3:1. Are you tired of jumping through the human hoops of conditional love? Is it time to stop trying to measure up and earn another day’s worth of love just to get by? Do you want to immerse yourself in His unending love?

• PEACE

We live in a world of continual conflict and fleeting peace, many of us grow weary in this struggle and often settle for temporary peace. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man because of the great peace and tranquility it will bring us. Isaiah 26:3 says that the Lord will keep those who trust in Him in perfect peace. We long for peace and rest and Isaiah 30:15 reminds us that trusting the Lord brings a quietness and confidence that will give us strength. We often experience panic not peace, we are worn down with worry and distress but  Philippians 4:6-7 says that we should make all our requests known to God and that His peace which transcends all understanding will rule our hearts.  Man may not be consistent enough to let us rest in assurance, he will waver in his commitments and cause us great anxiety when we try to place our confidence in him. Do you need the rest that comes with peace? Then put your trust in God.