What Are the Benefits of Trusting in God? Part 3

In the previous articles we began listing the advantages of one who trusts in God. We continue below:

Publicly Declaring Trust in God

A person who relies on his wisdom or wealth is often afraid that others will discover his secret source of income, copy it, or harm him by informing the authorities. Each time he hears the words “income tax”, his heart skips a beat and his body tenses.

In contrast, one who trusts in God not only has no fear of anyone, but even publicizes his trust. As King David said in Psalms (56:12): “In God I have trusted, I shall not fear; what can man do to me?” Moreover, he inspires others to place their trust in God as well. Even if a tax official arrives, he can influence him too — because no one can take away what has been destined for another, not even a hair’s breadth, even if that person is a tax collector.

Resting in God’s Hands

Even the wealthiest person or a powerful ruler lives in fear of disease, pain, or disaster. Every time he hears of a friend or relative who fell ill, he worries: “Maybe I’m next.” Of such a person Scripture says: “Many are the afflictions of the wicked.”

The one who trusts in God knows he rests in His hands. Illnesses or hardships come only as atonement for sins or for a person’s ultimate good. If he repents sincerely, God will remove sickness and suffering. He has no reason to worry, as the prophet Yeshayahu (40:31) said: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,” and “He who trusts in God is surrounded with kindness.”

Blessed Each Day

The wealthy may easily forget their Creator. Every time a problem arises, their first thought is: “How much money will it take to solve this?” Their reliance is on wealth or talent, not on God. This is likened to the curse of the serpent: “Dust shall you eat all the days of your life.”

Commentators ask: Why is this a curse, when food is always abundant for the snake? The answer given is that the serpent never needs to turn to God — it is cut off from relationship. Likewise, a person who trusts only in his money may lose his connection to God and, with it, his share in the World to Come.

One who trusts in God however, lifts his eyes to heaven daily, confident that his needs will be provided. God gave Israel manna in the desert day by day, not monthly, so they would learn to depend on Him each day anew.

Imagine a father of ten going to bed at night not knowing if he’ll have food for his children tomorrow. He turns his eyes upward, placing all his trust in God. Time and again, God’s faithful ones testify: “Our sustenance comes from His open, generous hand,” often in surprising and wondrous ways.

Joyful and Lighthearted

A person who does not trust in God finds it almost impossible to be truly happy. He is weighed down with worries and fears: of terror, disease, taxes, his children’s safety, his livelihood, elections, and more. If hardships befall him, his suffering doubles — once from the pain itself, and again from not understanding why it is happening to him.

A person full of worry becomes a vessel only for anxiety, whereas the one who trusts in God is free of this. To every fear, he has an answer: “He who trusts in God is surrounded with kindness.” Therefore he radiates joy and cheer always, his face aglow with divine gladness.

There is a saying: “Don’t tell God how big your problems are — tell your problems how big God is.” When your troubles hear of God, they scatter in fear, and you remain with your Creator, joyful and secure.

The believer knows he is in the faithful hands of the Almighty, who cares for him more than he cares for himself. If he casts all his burdens upon God, the verse will be fulfilled: “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” Even if suffering comes, he accepts it with love, knowing it is for his ultimate good.

The joyful believer does not fear terrorists or enemies, for he trusts in his God to protect him. As King David said in Psalms (56:12): “In God I have trusted; I shall not fear — what can man do to me?”

How sweet it is to join the ranks of those who trust in God, and to merit all these wondrous benefits.