In Whom Do You Trust?*

     We see indications that our nation is turning away from the idea of having trust in the LORD. We have often turned away from Him to follow our own ways.

     The Book of Revelation prophesied about the release of four horses that bring death and destruction to the earth including: conquering, war, famine, Death and Hell through sword, hunger and beasts. Martyrdom has come to many of the faith across the globe. All of these are and will bring terror to the hearts of men. (see also Lk.  21:26). However, scripture offers us a prevailing truth in all circumstances: "Trust in the LORD with all (kol - everything, all, whole, totality) thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge (yada - know, knowledge, perceive, recognize, discern) him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." (Prov. 3:5-7). We have to know God in order to set a difference between darkness and light, in order to be the light.

     Not only trust in the LORD, but the truth of the LORD carries us through all circumstances: "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." (Isa. 26:2-4). Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. He is the way, the truth and the life. In the Hebrew language, the name "LORD" as seen in these verses is written as YHWH, representing the Hebrew letters yod-hey-vaw-hey, with the meaning of each Hebrew letter combining together to say: "Behold the hand, behold the nail." Do you trust in the LORD and know His truth?

     Those who follow the ways of the world will also try to rely on physical or military strength to rescue them from destruction. The LORD assures us that relying on these measures will fail men: "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD....(The LORD) will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they shall all fail together." (Isa. 31:1-3, excerpt). Egypt represents the world system. The physical strength of flesh cannot prevail against the judgments of God, who is Spirit. When we trust in men, we turn away from God. The LORD sent the Holy Spirit, part of the Godhead, to fill and empower His believers (see the Book of Acts), and not a reliance upon flesh.

     Our trust in the LORD is also a trust in His name: "We will rejoice in thy salvation (yeshua - also the Hebrew name of Jesus), and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call." (Ps. 20, excerpt). We are to call upon His name, and we are a people who are called by His name: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14). Proverbs 18:10 also tells us to run swiftly into the high tower of the LORD's name for safety. David wrote asking the LORD to lead him to the rock that is higher than himself, a shelter and strong tower from the enemy. He said that he would abide in the LORD's tabernacle and trust in the covering of the LORD's wings. (see Ps. 61:1-8, excerpt). The high and holy name of the LORD is our true safety and defense in times of trouble. 

     The LORD wants us to have the understanding that He desires to protect and save us, to cover us from danger: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust....He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall be no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." (Ps. 91:1-10, excerpt). The LORD answers those who love Him: "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (v. 14-16). Jesus desired to cover Jerusalem under the feathers of His wings, as mentioned above, but they refused His covering. (see Mt. 23:37-39). The LORD desires to protect those who know and trust in His name.

     Our safety in the LORD continues in the prophetic Word from Isaiah, who wrote: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." The LORD will come to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their shedding of blood, but there is a protective chamber in the LORD for His people (Isa. 26:20-21).

     The prophet Malachi wrote about the coming of the LORD. As the Messenger of the covenant, He comes to purify and refine His priests, which we are, and to perform judgment on those who do evil because they do not fear Him. The prophet asked: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope (referring to soap)." (Mal. 3:1-5). The Messenger of the covenant mentioned here is Jesus, who delivered the new covenant in His blood as He took the cup that He shared at the Last Supper, the last Passover that He observed with His disciples.

     The Lord Jesus is returning with His judgment. Paul wrote that He has given us the whole armor of God by which we may stand in the evil day, a holy covering of protection even against the evil of the devil. Do you know His name? Do you trust in Him and in the truth of His Word? Jesus said as He promised to prepare a place for us with Him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (Jn. 14:6). Do you know Jesus? If not, you may simply ask for Him to come into your life as you believe these promises that He has made to all who will receive them. If you need healing, you can ask Him. You can pray: "Lord Jesus, forgive my sins and cleanse me as my Savior. Come into my life and my heart to create me new.  I believe that You died for me, and rose from the dead, so that I could have eternal life with You. Heal my body and soul, Lord, for there is healing in the tower and safety of Your name, the name of Jesus."

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 1/4/26 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on the Facebook page of Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at the Kenneth Stevenson channel. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, which is evidence of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook. Also the book NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling, written by Dr. Stevenson, is available on Amazon.