The Necessity of Prayer – Lesson IX, Prayer and Trust

The word faith as used in Heb 11:1 is from a Greek word which means persuasion.

It means credence or certainty or moral conviction of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God as a religious teacher.

Webster's 1828 dictionary says that faith is the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another resting on his authority and veracity without other evidence.

If I have faith my mind assents to the fact that what God says is right because God says it.

In theology faith is the assent of the mind to the truth of what God has revealed.

Paul expressed his faith when in 2 Tim 1:12 he said this:

For the which cause (the Gospel) I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul's hope was built upon a settled conviction or persuasion of things not yet actual but certain to become so.

Paul’s hope was not a maybe hope but a hope built on an unmovable foundation and sure to be realized.

For he knew in whom he believed.

Faith is built upon knowing in whom you believe.

What is trust then? Is trust identical to faith?

The word trust as used many times in the Old Testament means to flee for refuge.

But the Hebrew word includes a subtlety of meaning in that the fleeing for refuge is a confident fleeing.

It is not a fearful fleeing that includes wondering whether that which is being fled to, will provide safety.

It means fleeing with a bold confidence that that which is fled to will provide every need of safety.

There is no fear that this place of refuge will fail.

So trust then is an action word.

It is a word which indicates movement to a secure place of safety from a present place of danger.

Note the defining word flee.

Trust then indicates an urgency of action.

Something must be done and it must be done now, it must be done in the present.

It is not a hoped for action but it is an action to satisfy present needs.

Faith points the way to the refuge, faith convinces or persuades that the refuge is the right place to be, but trust is that which moves the one to the place of refuge.

Think of faith as a policeman that points the way around a danger.

Trust then is the action taken to go the way around the danger.

Faith and trust then are inseparable companions in the work of God.

Faith speaks to the future but trust operates in the present.

By faith I am convinced that the Lord is the place of refuge and protection.

By faith I am persuaded.

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Faith convinces me that God will never forsake me.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, (By faith I am convinced of this)

(Because of this persuasion by faith) I dare not trust the sweetest frame (support of any making), but wholly lean on Jesus name.

Hope built on faith is future, trust is in the present.

My mind assents to this.

Faith then is the engine that causes the movement of trust.

You cannot trust God witout faith in God.

Trust then indicates an urgency of action.

Something must be done and it must be done now.

It is not something to be put off, for time is wasting and danger is increasing as the time presses on.

Faith reveals this. Faith opens up the mind to eminent and constant danger.

Is there ever a time in the life of a sheep when the danger of the wolf coming by ceases?

Don't the ones who go through life without Jesus Christ continually head toward the abyss not even knowing about the abyss?

Isn’t the wolf always at the door?

Didn't Jesus say that the danger from plucking your right eye out or cutting your right hand off was less danger then your whole body being cast into hell?

Believing this is faith in God for God said it.

Fleeing to the Lord for protection is trust.

By faith I am persuaded that the Lord is the place of refuge and protection.

Trusting then is the fleeing to the Lord and appropriating that place of refuge and protection.

The Old Testament scriptures exhibit occasion after occasion of this kind of trust and it is always described as an escape from places of danger to a place of refuge.

David spake of this trust in 2 Sam 22:2,3, And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; (Faith reveals this) in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Psa 9:9,10, The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psa 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Psa 62:7,8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.