Proverbs 3:5–6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
One of the paradoxical offshoots of the increasingly digital and connected global village is the worldwide decline in trust. Across regions, we find waning trust in governments, institutions, public systems and even fellow humans.
In Nigeria, this is further compounded by the seeming prominence of the lines that divide us more than those which connect us. People are not taken at their word and everyone is pre-emptively watchful of each other to prevent being taken advantage of — especially in a city like Lagos where you need to “shine your eye”.
Nowadays, transactions and conversations alike, have to be backed up by concrete evidence; going along with a gentleman’s agreement without any written evidence may be considered foolish. This reminds me of Crete as recorded in the book of Titus, which was a place where saying “Trust me” in lieu of evidence may send alarm bells ringing. “You go explain taya, no evidence”.
“The utility of trust is in situations with contrarian evidence”
If I said I would give you a car, and you could see the car, and I handed over the car keys to you, I do not need you to trust me at that moment. If on the other hand, I said I would give you a car and there is no car with me to present to you, then trust is required for you to align with me.
Trust is required in situations where there is an apparent lack of evidence. If the evidence exists, proven beyond reasonable doubt, then trust is not required.
Psalm 40:4 — Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
I believe one of the factors at play in the fall of man, was a breakdown of trust. It starts with questions on what He said, his motives, and the consequences of his actions; and ends with an explanation without evidence, or with contrarian evidence in the immediate, like seeing the wicked and ruthless man flourishing LIKE a well-rooted tree (Psalm 37:35), or evils under the sun where servants ride horses and princes walk, or folly set in dignity while the rich occupy low places (Ecclesiastes 10:5–10).
This is often the place where false gods begin to suggest other explanations, half-truths with blended lies, suggesting false explanations and alternative paths to “provide for ourselves” that which He promised. These perspectives often pander to our limited understanding and create false narratives that can cause misalignment in our walk on the Faith lane, turning into lying vanities and paths that end in tears.
Imagine I said I would fly you to Abuja tomorrow morning and then found you the next morning at Yaba Park getting on a bus to Abuja.
Numbers 23:19 — God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
This devotional is a reminder to hold fast to His promises despite contrarian evidence; this is the true utility of trust. Forget not His benefits, forget not His person. Your trust in Him is tested in situations that provide contrary evidence and this is my encouragement; that you hold fast to that which you have that no one may take your crown (Revelation 3:11–12).
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
— Jeremiah 17:7–8.
Have a Blessed Week.
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