What is trust? – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Part 4

This week we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert, who is a Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA.

Charles Blondin was a world famous tightrope walker in the 1800s who decided that he wanted to be the first person to walk a tightrope stretched across Niagara Falls. During his first attempt crossing the 1,100 feet long span, 160 feet in the air, he made fun of hecklers by pretending to lose his balance and walking shakily across to the other side. All said and done, he went back and forth across the falls six times! Sometimes with a balance pole, sometimes not.

At one point, he took a chair halfway across, balanced it on the rope, and then sat on it on it and took a rest for a bit. He juggled “juggling pins” while walking back and forth. He even took a hot plate and made himself some food and ate lunch while balancing on the rope. Finally, he unveiled his big finale! He uncovered a wheelbarrow. Everyone cheered until he quieted the crowd.

As part of his finale, he asked for a volunteer to ride in the wheelbarrow. They
believed he could do it, but no one would trust him enough to get in.

To me, this is a lot like what the Lord did with the children of Israel. Think about it. He delivered them from the mightiest army of the day, delivering them from slavery in Egypt, and walking them right up to the mountain of God, all while parting a sea, providing light and protection at night and clouds, food and water by day.

When they believed Moses’ meeting with God on a mountain was taking too long, they turned away to a false, man-made god. Yet God still delivered them to the promise land, while feeding and provisioning them for 40 years! He defeated their
enemies for them! When they cried out, He answered. Every time God asked for their trust, even in the midst of all of these miracles, they wouldn’t get in the wheelbarrow.

Centuries later, the Jews struggled under their oppressors once more. They cried out to God, and He sent their Messiah. They wouldn’t believe it! In Matthew 16, verses 1-4, we read,

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to
show them a sign from heaven. He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, “It will
be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for
the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the
sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous
generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’
Jesus then left them and went away.”

15 chapters of miracles preceded this conversation, and yet they still wanted more! Can you believe it? What was the sign of Jonah that Jesus was referring to? Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights! Jesus was in the tomb for three days and three nights… Did the religious leaders believe it then? Rather than give glory to God for the miracle of resurrection, they paid off the guards and told them to say the disciples took His body!

After Jesus’ ascension, Peter and John were dragged before the high priest and the rest of the religious leaders because the proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection and through them, the Holy Spirit healed a man. Again, the religious leaders refused to get in the wheelbarrow!

How about you? Have you placed your trust in God? Is there some way you could demonstrate a new or deeper trust in God today?