Dear Ones,
We recently witnessed some high wire acts by members of the Flying Wallenda Family. They have been famous for their high wire acts for seven generations! Of the several branches of the family that still perform in separate troups, we saw Tino, his wife Olinka, and daughter Aurilia perform. During their performance they gave a very positive witness to their faith in Christ, very graphic illustrations of trust in Him, and their desire to glorify Him with the unique talents with which they have been endowed.
It reminded me of Jean Francois Gravelet, the famous French acrobat and tight-rope walker who lived from 1824 to 1897. When five years of age he began to train as an acrobat and, after only six months, made his first public appearance as “the Little Wonder.” In 1861 he appeared in London, at the Crystal Palace, turning somersaults on stilts on a rope stretched across the central transept, 170 feet from the ground! He especially owed his celebrity and fortune to his fete of crossing Niagara Falls on a tight-rope, 1,100 feet long, 160 ft. above the water! This he accomplished, first in 1859, a number of times, always with different theatric variations: blindfolded, in a sack, trundling a wheelbarrow, on stilts, carrying a man on his back, sitting down midway while he made and ate an omelet! His final performance was given in Belfast in 1896. He is best known by his professional name – Blondin. As incredible as all this may sound, it is substantiated by the Encyclopedia Britannica! (Also, a search of Blondin on the internet will give more details and pictures.)
According to one of the popular reports, when at Niagara, Blondin challenged the onlookers: “Do you believe that I can carry a man across on my back?” By this time, the crowd ecstatically cried, “We believe! We believe you can do it!” When he called for a volunteer, who would be willing to trust himself to Blondin’s ability to safely carry him across? (Evidently, according to the records, there was one who did – his Manager!!)
This story graphically illustrates the meaning of trust. To declare one’s belief is one thing; to commit one’s self to that belief is quite another! The Scriptures have much to say about trust. Here are just a few thoughts:-
COUNSEL TO TRUST IN GOD:-
“Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:4)
“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not upon your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5)
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”. (Ps. 37:3)
“Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.” (Ps. 37:5)
COMMITMENT TO TRUST IN GOD:
“This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting in Him.” (Ps. 91:2)
“When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in You. Yes, I will trust the promises of God…
This one thing I know: God is for me! I am trusting in Him.” (Ps. 56:3,4,11)
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord is my strength and song.”.. (Isa. 12:2)
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for in You do I trust.” (Ps. 143:8)
BENEFITS OF TRUST IN GOD:
BIRTH INTO GOD’S FAMILY: ”But all who have received Him, to them–that is, to those who trust in His name–He has given the privilege of becoming the children of God.” (John 1:12)
SECURITY & STABILITY: “They that trust in Jehovah are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.” (Ps. 125:1) “(S)he shall not be afraid of evil tidings: Her heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.” (Ps. 125:1; 112:7)
LIFE & FULFILMENT: “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree (full of life and fruit) in the house of God: I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.” (Ps. 52:8)
JOY & CONTENTMENT: “Happy is the one who trusts in Jehovah, and has made the Lord her hope and confidence.”..(Jer. 17:7)PEACE: “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!” (Isa 26:3)
REST: “For we who have believed (trusted) do enter into rest.” (Heb. 4:3)
Oh, the rest of simply trusting! Yielded to my Father’s will;
In His loving arms enfolded, just to trust Him and be still.
Thus ever on through life we find to trust, O Lord, is best;
Who serve You with a quiet mind find in Your service rest.
Their outward troubles may not cease, but this their joy will be -
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” (Isa. 26:3)
“May GOD, the giver of HOPE,
fill you with continual JOY and PEACE because you TRUST in HIM-
so that you may have abundant HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13 Weymouth)
In Agape, Eulene
