When will we realize that we cannot trust anything this world teaches? It’s all smoke and mirrors. We trust only the Lord.

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall [both on a personal and global scale].

In this world, power and wealth prevail, influence and manipulation are the name of the game, and the fulfillment of dreams (no matter how evil) is the goal. As bad as these can be, the worst thing is that humans are not the ones pulling the strings; Satan and his horde are! All it takes is a suggestion from them and we are off under our own power running to sin. Because we begin this life with no Holy Spirit in us, we are bent toward evil. We desire it and approve it. We were enemies of God (Colossians 1:21, Romans 5:10, Romans 1:32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-3, and Titus 3:3).

So, what happened? We trusted God and called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save us. What did He do? He placed His Holy Spirit in us as a seal, a guarantee, and a foretaste of what is to come in the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at Titus 3:4-8,

⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

1. It is the kindness and love of God that we even have the opportunity of salvation.
2. This kindness and love appeared as Jesus Christ. He is our Savior!
3. It’s not because of us, but in spite of us; He saved us because of His mercy. When we are merciful, we are most like Him.
4. We have been justified (just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned) by His grace. He even erases the evidence! We are made new.
5. We have been made heirs, co-heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17).
6. We are to be careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good (according to God).
7. Trusting God and obeying Him is excellent and profitable for everyone.

My own paraphrase of Proverbs 3:5-6 is,

Trust the Lord with all you are and have;
Lean not on your own knowledge and abilities;
In all your ways acknowledge and acquiesce to Him,
and He will guide you with His counsel and direct your paths.

As we worship together today, let’s pledge ourselves anew to His love and grace, His mercy and His kindness. Let’s set our hearts on devoting ourselves to doing what is good according the the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives.

Abba, thank You for loving me and for pouring our Your kindness, mercy and grace on me. I was Your enemy, but You called me and I answered. I am Your humble servant; use me as You see fit, O Lord. As we go, I will enjoy Your presence, and participation in my life, Your protection, power, and Your promise of even better things to come. I trust You, Lord. Amen.