What Are the Benefits of Trusting in God? Part 2

In the previous article, we began listing the advantages of one who places their trust in God. Here we will detail additional benefits.

Living Without Worries

The one who trusts in God, unlike the wealthy man who relies on his riches, lives without worry. Job, who was once very wealthy and then lost everything in a single day, already said (Job 27:19): “The rich man will lie down, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, it is gone.” The commentators explain: a rich man may go to sleep at night owning great wealth, but awaken in the morning to find himself destitute. More than that, who can guarantee that he will even live to enjoy his fortune? Much of his life is filled with fear of thieves, of the stock market collapsing, of losing his health and being unable to enjoy his money. If death comes tomorrow, his wife may remarry, and another man will enjoy all he worked for — “They will leave their wealth to others.”

In contrast, one who trusts in God knows that their livelihood depends only on the Creator, as it says in Psalms: “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” He lives without worry, for he is assured that “he who trusts in God will be surrounded with kindness.”

Fearless Before People

The one who trusts in God does not flatter people, depend on their help, or place his hopes in them. He will not agree with them in wrongdoing to win their favor, nor will he fear them, because he knows no one can harm or help him unless God decrees it. As the prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) declared: “The Lord God will help me, therefore I shall not be confounded; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I shall not be ashamed.” (Yeshayahu 50:7)

In contrast, the one who trusts in man, of whom it is written (Yirmiyahu 17:5): “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord,” ends up disappointed. When I once wanted to buy an apartment, I was short two hundred thousand shekels, even after arranging a mortgage. I remembered a wealthy friend who once told me, “If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask me.” I approached him, explained my situation, and he warmly promised: “Of course, I’ll be happy to help. Give me a week.” That was many years ago. I am still waiting for his call.

Those who rely on people end up fearing them too, thinking they have the power to harm as well as to help. Thus, when threatened, they may even compromise their principles to avoid harm. The truth is that no human can harm us; only God holds the power to do good or ill.

A Heart Free for God’s Will

One who trusts in human strength or cleverness never stops worrying about money, health, status, and success. His heart is constantly burdened, unable to focus on his true purpose in life of serving God. He struggles to concentrate in prayer, to study Torah, or to do acts of kindness, because his mind is always consumed with worldly anxieties.

The one who trusts in God frees his heart to focus on what truly matters — Torah, prayer, kindness, and love for others. His thoughts are invested in eternal goals, not fleeting worries.

Sustenance From Heaven

The one who trusts in God receives his sustenance from Heaven itself.

The rich man who loses his wallet or credit cards while traveling far from home is suddenly no better than a pauper. Despite all his wealth, in that moment he has nothing to eat.

The one who trusts in God is assured that his sustenance will reach him by any means necessary, as it is written (Devarim 8:3): “He fed you with manna… to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

When the people wandered in the barren desert, where no natural food could be found, God gave them manna from Heaven — the “bread of angels”, which miraculously carried every flavor.

The one who trusts in God is like one who eats manna. His livelihood will arrive in wondrous ways, even from the most unlikely sources. The Bible tells how Elijah the Prophet, when he hid by the brook during the drought, was sustained by ravens bringing him bread and meat, taken, according to the commentators, from King Ahab’s royal kitchen! The cruel raven, known for neglecting even its own young, became God’s messenger to feed Elijah. When God wills it, every creature in the world can become His courier to deliver sustenance to those who trust in Him.