Trusting God – Word for the Soul

Can I Trust Him?

October 27, 2025October 26, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Photo by Ana Madeleine Uribe on Pexels.com

Life is complicated for most people. Even for those who live in rural communities where not too much is going on, there’s always something going on, yes life is complicated. We all need a little guidance to help us along. Guidance is needed not only to be successful in life, but to have continued joy and contentment. Given over to ourselves, we are not always successful in life and our efforts for joy and contentment are but moments soon to drift away. We need someone who is bigger than ourselves, God, but can we trust Him?

The wisest man who ever lived on this earth, King Solomon, said God can be trusted. Solomon wrote, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart……and he will make your paths straight.” (Pr.3:5-6 niv) The idea of making our paths straight is to remove any obstacles that are in the way. Who would better know how to remove those obstacles than one with the ability to know what we will encounter before it happens and has the power to remove them. We are often confused lacking understanding in the way God is leading us, but we must rest assured His plan for us is good and will not fail. When we fully submit to God trusting His leading as we reject our own temptation to do it ourselves, God will surely lead us to complete joy and contentment. Yes, you can trust Him!

“I cannot always understand, The Way God leadeth me, The why, and when and wherefore Is oft a mystery. But I can trust His wisdom, I know His way is best, His heart knows no unkindness And on His love I rest.” (1)

(1) Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. Streams in the Desert 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1966. p.138

Whose Leadership Do You Trust?

July 5, 2025July 2, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time. The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.” Daniel 11:27-28 NLT

Years ago, many Bible preachers would be heard saying ‘read the headlines in the newspaper and you’ll find much the same in the Bible.’ It still applies today to any creditable news source. The Lord has laid out for us the good, the bad, and the ugly along with future events and the recorded past in His Word. God does not want us to be ill informed, but to know the signs of the times. The evil times in which we live, as bad as they are, have been on-going since Cain and Abel. God has given us His Word, reliable for truth, for us to know who to trust in our troubled times.

In Daniel chapter 11, a conference was prophesied to take place between two kings, Antiochus and Ptolemy, who lie to each other at the conference table. Deception to the hurt of the other was politics as usual as it is today. Our News headlines are the same as centuries ago. Antiochus was also a vile individual who hated the Jews, persecuting them and desecrating the Temple. (Dan.8;13) Sounds like a current day news story, hatred of the Jews by some of our world leaders.

For Christians it comes down to this, whose leadership do we trust today. Every one of our most trusted leaders across this world has flaws of some kind. Conferences, peace talks, etc. don’t have long-lasting effects and never will. The Lord God is where our trust should be. May we see the events happening in our world as God at work leading the nations and let us be content, He is in control.

Devotionals

Rejoicing in Our Problems

May 22, 2025May 18, 2025 Loring Schultz

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT

There isn’t anyone alive who hasn’t faced problems during their lifetime. We all face problems or if you prefer to call them trials and tribulations or sufferings and afflictions, we all have them. Probably not too many of us can say we have rejoiced during those unforgettable periods of our life. Perhaps even fewer could say it was beneficial going through that trial. But there are always benefits of any trial we go through, even if we fail or refuse to see and acknowledge them. God’s hand is involved in all things in this world and that includes our individual lives. He will work it out for good. (Ro.8:28)

The apostle Paul says we can rejoice during our problems and trials. He is one who is qualified to make such a statement for he had his fair share of problems in his life. First Paul says our problems help us develop endurance. We learn to endure, holding fast in our situation if we don’t give up. This develops strength, both physically and in our character. Professional athletes face times when endurance is essential to get them to the next level or overcoming a rehabilitating injury. Our newly developed character is just what we need to get us through and what others need as they witness our strength in character despite our circumstances. This character strengthens our hope in God, and the confident hope of our salvation through Christ.

Suffering, trials, and all sorts of problems are not what we look forward to in life. But they come to all of us when we least expect it. After the initial shock wears off, look to the Lord God for His purpose in it, and rejoice that He has your best interest at heart. It is only then you can look forward to developing endurance, strength of character, and a confident hope in the God of your salvation. And be ready to share your rejoicing with others.

Devotionals

Not Rejected, but Reworked

April 28, 2025April 25, 2025 Loring Schultz

“And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.” Jeremiah 18:4 ESV

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels.com

How many times have you seen your plans and goals in life slipping out of reach? You have a college degree in your desired field but can’t get your foot in the door to plant your feet. You find yourself in a career you haven’t chosen, and as the years go by your dream job is becoming less plausible. It could be you hindered yourself by some regrettable decisions you’ve made placing you where you are now. Have you ever asked yourself, how did I get here? I have. The answer is I put myself here. But it is amazing how God still works out His perfect will for us, wherever we are.

Being in a place you don’t want to be is frustrating. But there is a reason why you are there. I’m not one to say, ‘just make the best of it’ but to say, ‘trust in God to show you the way.’ You may be surprised that you are not where you want to be, but you are where God wants you to be. Once you accept that, it makes all the difference in the world. Trust me, I know. We have our plans and goals, so does God. Sometimes they match, sometimes they don’t.

The Lord gave the prophet Jeremiah an illustration of His sovereignty over the people of Judah. He had him go down to the potter’s house and watch him. “And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.” (Jer.18:4 esv) Whatever the reason for being spoiled in the potter’s hand, He is reworking you to be all you were meant to be. The Lord has plans for you. You’re not rejected, but being reworked. You may get that dream job after all, just not where you thought it would be. And if you don’t, your dream will come true right where you are if you allow the potter to do His work.

Devotionals

Going where you may not want to go

March 17, 2025March 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it……… seven nations greater and stronger than you.” Deuteronomy 7:1 NASB.

Have you ever had the opportunity to do something great? You have been promoted in your job due to your skill set and work ethic, but your new job description is way over your head. You feel intimidated as you examine the scope of your new assignment, but those who put you in there have the confidence you will succeed and have paved the wave for an easy transition. You proceed with hesitation going where you may not want to go.

The nation Israel was about to enter the Promised Land where seven nations that were much stronger than they were resided. The Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, each one greater than Israel, knew the land well due to their long history of living in the land. Israel was promoted to go into the land with detail job descriptions of their assignments. The first and most important one was to trust in God who had been leading them for forty years. The Lord promised that they would be successful in their new position, “When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess and clears away many nations before you.” (Dt.7:1 nasb) The Lord is going to clear away the obstacles in their first assignment through their trust in Him. Israel will still do the work, but it will be the Lord working through them.

You are no different than the nation Israel when God gives you an opportunity for advancement and to glorify His name. You may be overwhelmed by work and the accountability involved, but the Lord will clear away and help you deal with anything over your head. He will give you comfortability and assurance that you can handle the job He assigned you to. Just trust God! You may not have wanted to go, but once you’re there you’ll be glad you did.

Devotionals

Going in Circles

March 14, 2025March 12, 2025 Loring Schultz

“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:3 NASB

Life has a way of having us going in circles. We find ourselves engaged in several tasks at the same time. So many things to do and not enough time. Some things are left undone or put on the shelf until a more convenient time which almost never comes. Failing to reach the goals we have set for ourselves is on-going. We start over and repeat the process again and again. Like a dog chasing its tail, we run around in circles. That’s life!

But perhaps going in circles is your own doing. Perhaps you’re running around in circles due to disobedience to God. Most of our troubles stem from the bad choices we make in life. God gives us free will to make choices, but He also expects and desires us to make choices that please Him. Now, there is a difference between a deliberate sinful choice and an honest miscalculation in a choice we made. Unfortunately, we need to deal with the consequences just the same, and the Lord is aware of the circumstances. He will see us through them with grace and a lesson learned. But there are times when the Lord will allow us to wander for a while due to our bad choices.

The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years for their choice in not obeying God to go forward into the Promised Land. This too was for a season, a long one, but it did come to end by God’s grace. The Lord told them, “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” (Dt.2:3 nasb) So too, however long you’ve been going in circles for whatever reason it will come to an end. You can count on it. Trust God. You’ll soon hear, turn north!

Devotionals

Intimidation

January 31, 2025January 29, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Sometimes there are people who try to get the best of us, meaning getting under our skin or intimidating us making us fearful of their intentions. Christians especially come under the attack of intimidation. Standing up for Biblical values in a secular world and claiming Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven will give plenty of fuel for people who think otherwise to prove us wrong. Intimidation presents itself in various ways, but it is always to make us fearful and second guessing ourselves.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said that when we become fearful of others, we set ourselves up to be trapped. If our focus is not continuously on God, we will start to lose our confidence as we get bombarded by others trying to intimidate us. This will lead to our becoming fearful eventually trapping ourselves in doubt and confusion trying to defend ourselves when our trust is to be in the Lord.

The Lord will never leave us standing alone. He is always with us. “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” (Heb.13:5b nlt) When we put our trust in Him, we need not fear for we are safe. As Christians we are to do the work He gives us, proclaiming the gospel, and living in accordance with His Word. So let the world intimidate us for our Biblical worldview, and be not fearful, but answer boldly in the fear of the Lord our God, trusting Him for His safety and protection on us. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Ps.4:8 nlt)

Devotionals

Wait, Hope, and Trust in God

January 13, 2025January 12, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 62 NLT – Psalm 62 – For Jeduthun, the choir – Bible Gateway

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5, 8 NLT

Waiting can create anxious moments. The very definition is enough to make you uneasy; (to remain until something expected happens). Some people have the ability to wait patiently, and others need it to happen instantly. Depending on what you are waiting for will, of course, determine whether you can wait patiently or have some anxiety creep in. As Christians, we have someone to put our hope and trust in while waiting, in addition He will sit with us while we wait.

King David was waiting on God when he wrote Psalm 62. David was in midst of treasonous conspirators either from the family of Saul or from his son, Absalom, during his rebellion against his father. He was waiting on God for the outcome, but David was confident his victory was sure while he waited. “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” (Ps.62:1 nlt) David was able to wait patiently and quietly for his hope was in God. He knew God was his refuge. David encourages all God’s people to trust in the Lord, and to pour our hearts out to Him.

The Lord understands our worried waiting moments. He is there by our side while we wait. It may feel as if we are all alone, but we are not. When we earnestly seek Him during these waiting moments through prayer, reading His Word, and waiting quietly, like David, we’ll sense and feel His presence, comforting us during the wait. It may be a long wait, or it may be a short wait. Either way, the Lord is with us, and the victory will be ours as we wait, hope, and trust in Him.

Devotionals

Don’t Forget to Remember

December 18, 2024December 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the LORD’s Temple was laid. Think carefully……But from this day onward I will bless you.” Haggai 2:18, 19b NLT

On this date December 18, 520 B.C. the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai to the people of Judah who were about to continue rebuilding the Temple. The work on the Temple had stopped ten years earlier, but the work on the people’s own homes continued to be completed. The Lord reprimanded them in Haggai chapter 1. The leadership and the people responded, and the work began again.

The Lord told the people to “Think about this eighteenth day of December” (to remember from this day forward) how their lives were before they laid the foundation to rebuild the Temple. He wanted them to think about it carefully. The efforts in their work produced only half of what was expected. The Lord had caused a drought to occur, and sent blight, mildew, and hail to destroy their crops. Their money vanished as if they had holes int their pockets. The people of Judah were to remember their previous conditions and not forget what their sin of abandoning the Lord and His work cost them.

This December 18, 2024, may find you in an abandonment situation where you started a work for God, but it has been put on the back burner. You’ve abandoned it, meaning in a sense you’ve abandoned God. Perhaps all is not well, or perhaps it is, but you know something is amiss. The work you are pouring yourself into is not achieving profitable results. Unexpected bills are piling up, and the kids need braces. When we take our eyes off God, focusing on ourselves and our needs, we forget God can take care of both our needs and His work He assigns to do. Upon doing this we create a lot of our own problems by not trusting God.

The Lord doesn’t want to see us have problems. He desires us to obey Him and trust Him for our needs. If you are ready to get back at it for the Lord, don’t forget to remember what it was like before December 18, 2024, as the Lord told the people of Judah, “from this day onward I will bless you.” (Hag.2:19b nlt) God will never abandon His children. Let us not abandon Him.

Read: Haggai 1:1-15, 2:15-19 NLT – A Call to Rebuild the Temple – On – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Fifth Sparrow

December 16, 2024December 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin?” Matthew 10:29a NLT

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.” Luke 12:6 NLT

Our God is a loving God who cares for His entire creation no matter how insignificant something may seem. There is nothing He has created that has landed on the shelf to be forgotten and collect dust. There is not a single living creature on this earth that God’s eye is not on, and that He is not aware of, not even the fifth sparrow.

In Jesus’ day sparrows were considered insignificant and of no value. They were sold as the cheapest food source with two sparrows sold for one copper coin. If a customer bought two pairs of sparrows for two copper coins, the merchant threw in an extra one for free. The value of a sparrow was so small that it was nothing to give one away at no cost. Yet, Jesus says as He was teaching His disciples the sparrows have value in God’s eyes. He doesn’t forget any of them, even the free one.

There comes a time when we all face circumstances where we feel like a fifth sparrow. What got you through it, or maybe you’re going through it? Our lives are not insignificant in God’s eyes. We have value because we were created by God in His image, and He keeps His eye on His creation. In a world with billions of people you are not any less significant than anyone else in God’s eyes, and He is aware of every single event in your life, good or bad. Put your complete trust in the Lord God letting Him guide you, and don’t be afraid to be a fifth sparrow