As a little girl my mother taught me not to talk to strangers or accept rides with people I didn’t know. At the age of six, I was raped by a relative. These things combined to cause me not to trust anyone. I was very shy and though I had lots of friends, I kept my thoughts to myself. Close relationships were few and marriage was difficult.

When I became a Christian, I decided I needed to trust others until they were proven to be untrustworthy. Sounds Christian. I found I was often disappointed and discouraged by people. One day as I was complaining to God about someone who had become untrustworthy and disappointed me. He said, ” Stop trusting people. Trust me and love my people.” It took me a few minutes to let this sink into my spirit. Then it hit with a tremendous force of liberation. I found when I trusted people, I had this list of expectations. When I loved them there were no attachments or expectations. Loving them became easier and the hurts and disappointments became fewer.

The Bible tells us trust is not to be placed in:

1. Weapons: Psalm 44:5, Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

2. Wealth: Psalm 49:6-7, Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches,

3. Leaders: Psalm 146:3, Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

4. Man: Jeremiah 17:5, Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.

5. Works: Jeremiah 48:7, For because you have trusted in works and your treasures, You also shall be taken. And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, His priests and his princes together.

6. One’s own righteousness: Ezekiel 33:13, When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.

We can find trust is to be placed in God’s:

1. Name: Psalm 33:21, For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

2. Word: Psalm 119:42, So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.

3. Christ: Matthew 12:17-21, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: behold, My Servant whom I have, chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory. And In His name Gentiles will trust.”

When our trust is where God wants it there are benefits attached.

1. Joy: Psalm 5:11, But let all those rejoice that put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

2. Deliverance: Psalm 22:4-5, Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

3. Triumph: Psalm 35:2-3, Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation.

4. God’s goodness: Psalm 31:19, Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

5. Loving kindness: Psalm 32:10, Many sorrows shall be tgo the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.

6. Provision:  Psalm 37:3,5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

7. Blessedness:  Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

8. Safety:  Psalm 56:4, 11 In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

9. Usefulness:  Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

10. Guidance:  Proverbs 3: 5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

11. Inheritance:  Isaiah 57:13 When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.

What a divine revelation this has been for me. Trust placed in the right areas brings about God’s peace. We are to labor to enter the rest of God.

I believe this is a key to entering the rest. Trust in God’s word, His name, and Christ and love His people.