Politics & Trust

President Trump said he asked National Security Advisor John Bolton to resign his position. On the other hand, Mr Bolton said that he had offered to resign and had not been asked to leave directly or indirectly. There appears to have been a break down in trust between these two men. 

In the UK Amber Rudd resigned from her cabinet position after twenty-one conservative MP’s had been expelled from the party for voting against the government. She was not happy with that and decided to leave her post. The BBC interviewer summarised her comments as a lack of trust in the Prime Minister to get a deal on Brexit. 

In the bigger picture of UK politics, some parties with their own agenda have gone to law to override the government’s decision to suspend parliament for five weeks. The decision to leave the European Union following a referendum seems to have been lost in the mists of time. The ‘remainers’ who have varied agendas are ganging together to obstruct the UK leaving.  

The debating chamber in the Houses of Parliament witnessed a shocking scene of yobbish behaviour with the ‘red flag’ being sung by the opposition, as MP’s left the chamber. Where does this leave the people? Who can they trust?  

I am writing this article on the anniversary of ‘9/11’. It does not seem eighteen years since the attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. What took place then will not fade into the mists of time. Listening to the Wikipedia report on the events of that day reveals the horror of the situation and the evil plans that Islamic terrorists executed when they hijacked those four planes. Thousands of people died that day, and thousands more have died since as a direct result of those atrocities. 

The passengers on those aeroplanes set off to go to the airport, and check-in for their flights, trusting that the security measures in place would be adequate to ensure a safe trip. Those security measures fell short of providing a safe journey for them, and 265 people and 19 terrorists were killed. The youngest passenger was two and a half years old; that young life was snatched away in a moment of evil. The 19 hijackers believed that forfeiting their lives in such a horrible event would make them martyrs and guarantee that they would receive the relevant rewards for their sacrifice. They trusted in Allah and the teachings of the Koran, a misplaced trust!

Psalm 118 v 8, 9 are the central verses of the Bible. They say ‘It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes’. 

The best way through life is to trust in the Lord. People have schemes and plans that offer appealing prospects, but more often than not, promises are like piecrusts – made to be broken! ‘For all the promises of God find their Yes in him (Jesus). That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory,’ 2 Cor. 1. 20.

When we use the word trust as a noun, it describes a legal arrangement whereby wealth, property and land are placed in ‘Trust’ for the benefit of others. These arrangements often come to light when a Will is read and the wishes of the deceased are carried out in favour of the beneficiaries. Trusts are safeguarded by Trustees who are legally bound to follow the instructions of the Deed. The recipient freely receives out of the abundance and kindness of the testator. Every person who believes, trusts, commits to and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are the recipients of all the blessings that God has placed for them in Christ.   

In Luke ch 18, Jesus told a parable about people who trust in themselves that they are righteous and therefore acceptable with God. 

V 9 – 14 ‘And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted’.  

The misplaced faith of the Pharisee was evident by his self-righteous attitude of trusting in himself that he was good enough for God to accept him. Whereas the view of the unrighteous tax collector demonstrated repentance toward God and trust that he would forgive him, he pleaded, ‘God forgive me a sinner’. He went home a different man. He was justified in the sight of a holy God.  

The wise King Solomon said in Proverbs ch 3 v 5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.  

Salvation is not a halfhearted commitment - it is total. Humans could not devise the way of Salvation; it is God who planned this from before the Worlds were made. Repentance from sin means turning away from that path of life that degraded, defiled and often despaired one of any good for the future. Turning to God in faith secures the promise that no matter what path lies ahead he (God) will direct, he will be with you and bring you to the ultimate destination of His home in heaven. 

Is your trust misplaced or in Christ?

Written by a Guest Blogger