Desperate times lead to desperate measures and often to misplaced trust. You may ask, “Where can I turn in these desperate times? I’ve lost confidence in everything… What can I trust for the truth?” As an answer, the words of the prophet Jeremiah come to mind.
Jeremiah 17:17 (KJV)
Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Just as the prophet found hope in God during the evil of his day, it’s important for Christians to establish their hope in God and not on other things that will fail. Not surprisingly though, it seems that many turn away from God, perhaps not intentionally but still they turn away, because they lack faith in that which they cannot see and trust in what seems to be convenient. This is really misplaced trust that eventually proves to be unfruitful and leads to an even more hopeless situation. In this article, I’m posting a list of what I believe are 7 of the common misplaced trusts, things that we tend to place our hope in for answers during difficult times.
Jeremiah 17:5-11 (KJV)
5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
1. Self
Probably the first place we turn during difficult times is to self – our own knowledge, wisdom, resources, etc. Then, when everything we have at our disposal is exhausted, we finally turn to God. Our trust needs to start with God and not with self! When we trust self before we look for God’s solution, we elevate ourselves above God, which is more dangerous than the difficulty we might be facing.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
2. People
After self, we look to friends, family, social networks, or internet experts to help with our problems. Trusting in people isn’t always a bad thing, but every bit of advice you receive needs to be measured by the litmus test of God’s Word. Trusting people above God is another dangerous way to live.
Proverbs 4:14-19 (KJV)
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.Proverbs 4:20-27 (KJV)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Ephesians 5:6-10 (KJV)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
3. Relationships
Sometimes, desperate times cause us to enter into partnerships with others who have similar needs or goals, even if those partnerships are contrary to God’s Word or are with others who are not Christians. It’s especially important that any partnership start first with a personal covenant with God and that any partnership is bathed in prayer before it is confirmed.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
4. Finances
Sometimes, we think we can weather any storm with a big savings account or with a retirement nest egg. We must be careful that gaining money is not our primary focus, especially to the point of building our own riches while forsaking the needs of the church and its members. It’s important to remember that God owns everything. He entrusts us with what He gives. We should trust the Giver before we trust the gift.
1 Timothy 6:6-11 (KJV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
5. Possessions
Anyone who has been through a flood, hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster has probably learned this lesson. However, it’s a trap that’s easy to fall into… even more than once. The Christian musician Roby Duke sang these lyrics in his song “Modern Man” – want will steal your heart away. Today, we focus on comfort and entertainment to be a salve for our problems. That leads to a misguided trust in possessions. If we aren’t careful, possessions will steal our hearts away from God.
Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Consider the following account of a certain rich man described by Jesus:
Luke 12:16-21 (KJV)
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
6. Technology
Although you might think this is only a modern issue, trusting in technology – man’s knowledge, ingenuity and inventiveness – above God’s wisdom and provision has always been an issue. From the times of Genesis to now, man has always looked upon his own inventions as the solutions to problems. But our biggest problems can’t be solved by technology; at least, not by technology alone. When we trust in technology alone, we are setting ourselves up for a fall. Consider the following, which describes Uzziah’s trust in the technology of the day and the resulting destruction he experienced.
2 Chronicles 26:14-16 (KJV)
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
7. Feelings – Heart & Emotion
The final misguided trust that I’ll mention is our emotions. You’ve probably had someone offer this advice, “just follow your heart.” First of all, that’s a good reason not to trust people’s advice. Secondly, God has described your heart as deceitful and wicked. If you choose to trust your heart instead of God in desperate times, you are heading down an uncertain path.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (KJV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Bonuses:
Here are three additional misguided trusts… in my opinion:
- The Force – Even as a Star Wars fan, I know that “the Force being with you” won’t help when you are in a desperate situation.
- The Government – Many people trust the government with major parts of their life. This is more misguided than trusting in the Force.
- The Media – We live in a time when generations are trusting the media to form opinions and shape their culture. This is likely the most misguided trust one can have, as the media is a key resource used to usher in the new age of thinking and religious anonymity.
