December 11

Trust and Do; Do and Trust

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. — Ps 37:3 BSB

"Trust and do" are two words that go perfectly together, especially in the order that the Holy Spirit has given them. We are called to have faith, and that faith should lead us to action. Trusting in God moves us to do good: we trust God for His goodness, and then we act upon that trust. We don’t sit idle because we trust; rather, we are motivated to work, knowing that God works through us and with us. Our responsibility is not to fret and do wrong, but to trust and do what’s right. We don’t trust without doing, and we don’t act without trusting.

Our enemies might try to uproot us if they could, but by trusting and doing, we remain steadfast. We won’t flee to Egypt, but stay firmly planted in the land of Immanuel—God’s providence, the land of His covenant love. Our enemies cannot drive us out or eliminate us; where God has given us a place, there we will remain.

But what about our daily needs? The Lord adds a "verily" to this promise. As sure as God is faithful, His people will be provided for. It is ours to trust and act, and it is God’s to provide according to our trust. Whether we are fed by ravens, an Obadiah, or a widow, we will be fed. So, away with all fears!