The Lord is faithful at all times. In return, He rightfully desires the trust of His people at all times. With the exception of the Lord, nobody in the history of mankind endured the difficulties that Job encountered. Job ultimately knew that his trials were sent by the Lord though Satan was certainly God’s instrument. The test would be whether Job would continue to trust the Lord who had taken his material wealth, his health, and his children. Or would Job, like many believers, turn from the Lord because of the seemingly overwhelming difficulties? The Bible records Job’s answer, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). Because of Job's determination to trust the Lord unconditionally, he determined that he was not going to be a fair weather follower of the Lord.
The Bible plainly and repeatedly warns believers not to put their trust in men. In addition to this truth, men are not to trust in themselves. As today's passage shows, sometimes God allows circumstances to come into our lives in order to teach us not to trust in ourselves. If any mere mortal could stake a claim to self-trust, it would have been the apostle Paul. He was “circumcised the eighth day,” “an Hebrew of the Hebrews,” and “a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5). In spite of this, Paul knew these attributes were not sufficient to trust for eternal life. In fact, he counted these things but dung, that he may win Christ (Philippians 3:8). If Paul understood that he could not put his trust in himself or his accomplishments, everyone else should realize that his or her ability or merits are not worthy of trust.
Romans 3:4 says, “let God be true, but every man a liar.” Perhaps this truth serves as the foundational reason why God warned believers not to place their trust in man. Though the primary reason, it is not the only reason. In Psalm 146:3 the Lord warns, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” The real needs of mankind cannot be satisfied by man, even the best of men. Those who put their trust in man do so in disobedience to the Lord which results in their own personal harm. Psalm 118:8-9 twice stresses that “It is better to trust in the LORD.” An improper trust in man is, in many ways, a departure from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5).
Though peace may seem illusive, God instructs all believers to pursue after it. True inner peace is not something that one can afford to live without. The Bible says, “seek peace, and pursue it.” Peter reiterates this truth by saying, “seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:11). Men should seek after peace; and when found, they should allow nothing to prevent them from fully seizing upon it. The Lord said, “therefore love the truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:19). Several New Testament verses repeat the importance of peace by admonishing the believer to follow after it (Romans 14:19; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14). God certainly wants us to seek peace (1 Corinthians 7:15) and makes peace attainable. Yet, He demands that we pursue after His peace His way because any other peace is really no peace at all.
Society has become increasingly tumultuous offering vast distractions yet supplying little peace of mind. Unfortunately, most people seeking peace do so through the wrong means. Some seek it through entertainment, some through medication, some through relationships, and others through materialism; but their desire for peace remains an ever elusive quest. God is the only source offering true and lasting peace. In fact, the word of God identifies the Lord five times as the “God of peace” (Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). Another passage identifies Him as the “Lord of peace” (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Additionally, the Lord Jesus is identified as “The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Not only do these truths affirm that the Lord has peace to offer, but that He is the One in control of providing peace. Trying to find peace apart from God’s working is comparable to salvation without a Saviour.
