[Biblemat] A) "TRUST ME"

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Monday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my files:

"TRUST ME"

     A recent article in The Tennessean ("Skeptics thrive in 
America," 6/8/03) began with these two words.  It went on to
reveal how Americans do not trust others as much as they 
once did.  The National Opinion Research Center at the Univ-
ersity of Chicago has been tracking the percentage of trust
that most Americans have.  In 1964, 53% of those surveyed
said that "most people can the trusted."  The numbers dropp-
ed to 49% in 1971, 44% in 1980, and 39% in 1991.  The latest
figures, from 2002, dropped to only 35%.

     So why have trust levels been dropping?  The article ment-
ions various theories, including rising crime rates, television,
rising divorce rates, living in larger communities, weaker job
security, and rising economic inequality.  One common thread with each of 
these theories is people.  People are resp-onsible for all the the listed 
theories.  We could say, then, that people are responsible for decreasing levels of 
trust.
(What, or Who else is there to be responsible?  People are the only ones 
involved in such mistrust, JWS).

     We must remember that people are humans, fallible beings
Some people -- those who have no regard for righteous living 
-- will intentionally deceive us and use us to their advantage.
Even those who have the best of intentions will at times fail
us and cause us to question our levels of trust in them.  The
Psalmist warns against putting our trust in people (Psa. 146:
3).

     We must also remember that we are human and fallible.  We must be 
careful about trusting ourselves.  We often think
we know what is best but are simply wrong.  "There is a way
that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death"
(Prov. 16:25).  We must learn to "lean not on your own under-
standing" (Prov. 3:5).

     But all is not gloom and doom when it comes to trust.  We
can put our complete trust in God.  While others may fail us,
God never will.  He has promised, "I will never leave you nor
forsake you" (Heb. 13:5), and His track record proves His 
trustworthiness.  "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in man" (Psa. 118:8).

     And while we have all proven ourselves to adequately navi-
gate our way through live on our own, we can trust God's 
guidance.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov. 3:5,6).

     So the next time some event occurs that may decrease
your level of trust in others or yourself, read a piece of the
currency in your pocket.  Notice that each piece says, "In God We Trust."  If 
you will carry that thought with you, not
only in your pocket but also in your heart, then you will have
the answer to every situation in life.  ----- Troy Nicholson, via.
Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 45, Nov. 11, 2007.   </HTML>
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