Learning to Trust

Written by Marilyn Ehle

by Marilyn Ehle

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“…faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1-2)

Many people know the old hymn, “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” The melody soothes and the words bring hope. But like many familiar pieces of verse, Louisa Stead’s words can easily slip like quicksilver off our lips without lodging in our hearts and minds.

We may be tempted to think that Louisa wrote the words while gazing at a beautiful sunset with a light breeze rippling through her hair. In fact, however, it was while living in a culture, far from her own and after experiencing deep sorrow that the poem was written.

Louisa had planned to be a missionary in China but hopes were dashed when her health failed. Later her husband drowned in a tragic accident after a picnic on the beach. Shortly after the death of her husband, Louisa took their young daughter and moved to the African continent where she served as a missionary, later remarrying, raising her daughter, and faithfully ministering to others.

Easily overlooked in the familiar poetry is one line: “I’m so glad I’ve learned to trust you, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend.” Louise learned to trust God not through the easy spaces of life, but through the dark nights when all seemed bleak and dark. Many of us plaintively cry out for more faith but too often we want that faith handed to us without going through the process that God chooses.

“Giants of the faith” known in history and lauded in scripture are those who deeply believed God even when they could not see His love or plan. In spite of pain and discouragement, Louise Stead could end her hymn with the words, “And I know that you are with me, will be with me to the end.”

~Heavenly Father, Your promise to be with me gives so much comfort, but I confess that I too often want that presence without any pain. Teach me more about Your love and help me to trust You in all circumstances. Amen.

Permanent devotional link

Questions: Am I learning to trust God more each day? Has my faith grown in this past year?

About the Author : Marilyn Ehle

7 Responses to “Learning to Trust”

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kanj says:

October 30, 2008 at 8:04 pm

marilyn ehle, thank you for today’s devotional.
and to nora, welcome, welcome. i, too, am fairly new to this site, and it was God’s direction, not mine that i discovered and found myself here amongst such wonderful fellowship. to be able to express one’s self with sisters who, for me, are extended families, has given me the opportunity to come out of my ‘shell’.
to answer your question Marilyn Ehle ; ”am I learning to trust God with each passing day?”. my answer is unequivitably and without a doubt, yes! He is my heart and soul and there isn’t a day that goes by that the gratitude I feel, the humility of His grace is felt in everything I do. as far as my faith growing this past year–I am only 5’1” but like David with his sling and stone, facing Goliath, I feel taller than Goliath. gratitude flows through this heart which was once in my old nature as hard as can be. the Holy Spirit came to my heart just over a year and a half ago and there is no going back. I have been able to grow through two deaths in this time, both very sad indeed, yet I was like a rock in getting through. i took the helm in helping my children and husband cope with their grief. i was asked by my son(17 yrs. old then) how I was able to be the strong one? I told him that my foundation was strong and that Jesus is my carpenter who keeps me in His love. my son simply said, ‘”wow”!
although my faith has grown significantly, and I have learnt to trust God with my life and everything that concerns me, I still wait on the Lord for an answer to problems, struggles and situations. I don’t have the answer all the time to the most simpliest of situations. it’s then that I turn to Jesus and cry, ”help” me”. i am learning to listen to the Holy Spirit through His Word studying the principles in all that He says.
Marilyn says:

October 29, 2008 at 1:48 pm

I would like to join the chorus of sisters welcoming you, dear Nora, to this blogsite! It is a well of refreshment for those who are thirsty for Him, and for fellowship with sisters in the faith! May you be richly blessed here, as you learn of Him through the writers, and the wealth of testimonies that we share with each other! Our God is an awesome God, and He has been faithful to teach us, exhort us, encourage us, and comfort us in the safety of this beloved community!
Hannah says:

October 29, 2008 at 12:13 am

Thank you so much for this wonderful devotional today Marilyn Earl. It really is thought provoking.

Like Patti and Linda, I don’t think I could go on without Him beside me. He never leaves His people. We all have some kind of problems and HE is always ready and wanting us to go to Him with them. we surely can’t solve them ourselves. We have to lean on Him. and like them, I have definetely grown through my hard times and also through these devotionals.

And Nora, I would like to welcome you to the site. It is wonderful for finding friends that will pray for you and with you and you can get a mentor if needed.

Linda, I ask God to intervene and help you and whoever it is that is needing a healing of forgiveness. That is one thing that is hard to deal with by ourselves. I have also had that problem and it was through God that I ask the person to forgive me and she accepted my forgiveness and now we are great friends again. Then in another case, I ask a girl about 8 years or so to forgive me when it was really not my fault and she said well we can try. Well, that one did not work out good. She proceded to write me a nasty letter and then said now the ball is in your court. I thought I had done what God wanted me to do, so I have not gotten in touch with her again. I hope and pray that I have done right. Because I did ask her to forgive me for what part I had in the disagreement. I pray for her to heal with God’s help. I think she needs His help.

Patti, you sure do have a beautiful way with words of music. and yes we all thank Him for His faithfulness and His Love and His forgiveness and so many other things. I bless you Lord for shedding your precious blood for such as me. Thank you, and I love you so much, Hannah
Linda R says:

October 28, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Nora I too would like to welcome you to this site, like Patti said you will find everyone so friendly and always willing to pray for you and be there for you 24/7. I thank the Lord that day by day I am learning to trust in Him more and more. I have to be honest though it is through the hard times that we really learn to lean on Him as He is our strength and comforter but I just pray that I would learn to remember that He is there for me 24/7 too good and bad He is always walking right beside me. My faith In God has definitely grown and a lot of that has to do with this devotional site which I am so very thankful for. We are so Blessed to be able to come here and share and pray for one another. I would like to ask for pray for a misunderstand between me and a very close friend that The Lord would Intervene and forgiveness and healing would take place, thank you . Hugs, Linda!!!
Patti says:

October 28, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Dear Nora,

Welcome to this site. You will find this is a place one can feel very safe….where we can share and not be judged, but loved and encouraged.

It is a place to be ministered and to minister as we share our lives, thoughts and testimonies.

We share prayer requests and answers to prayer. We come here to be encouraged and to encourage.

I know I speak for everyone when I say Be welcomed….You will be blessed!
Nora Hansen says:

October 28, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Thank you Lord for leading me to this websight. I am a first timer and just marked it as my favorite. I was lost and lonely, now I’m found. Just like that song goes…..
Patti says:

October 28, 2008 at 9:07 am

I believe my faith has grown in the past year, but it was through struggles in my life. There have been times when I stood looking toward God’s creation…mesmerized by the beauty and have felt His presence. Tho His presence was with me as I gazed upon His beauty, it was during times the darkest time in my life, that I have known His gentle loving presence all around me. It was those times when I felt so alone and lost , without hope, that He Has come to me…ministered His love to me….that even in those dark dark hours, I knew He was there. Sometimes when I knew He was there, I still couldn’t reach out for Him….even so, He loved me enough to stay right there beside me.

When I felt no hope, He was there, when I felt no direction, He was there. When I had no will to live, He was there. He has never ever left me and for that I’m so thankful. “Just to rest upon His promise, and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

I love the stanza ‘And in simple faith to plunge me ‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!’ How I praise Him that we can have that simple faith…that faith of a child ..and to know He takes us, forgives us and plunges beneath that cleansing flood….His blood that He willing shed for us, taking the cross and all the world’s sin, including mine, upon Him…so that we have eternal life…those who truly trust Him.

Dear Jesus….How we thank You for going to the cross, for suffering in our place…taking our selfish and worldly sins so that we may have eternal life. Thank You for Your loving mercy. Thank You for Your grace….that is before us…..that allows us to come before You, ask forgiveness, turn from our wicked ways as we take Your Hand and trust You as a child. We may walk into unknowns…but we don’t go alone. Thank You Jesus, for all the women who come here, to minister and be ministered. I personally thank You for this site….as You led me to it a little over a year ago…when I was losing my way. Thank You for those You had waiting for me, to minister and answer questions….to pray for me. Thank You for their faithfulness. Thank You for Your faithfulness!

Lord, may this site draw more and more women to it…as they search for their way in the darkness or as they search for ways to minister. Draw us together as sisters in You….that we may carry Your message of to the lost and lonely.

In Jesus Name….