By Katy Mariotti

A Lesson in Trust

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 English Standard Version

Do you have things that you pray for over and over, and God continues to say “No?” Or do you ever pray for something simple, something you assume will happen anyway, and God still says “No?” This happened to me recently. A day that was supposed to be a pleasant day and had all the promise of being one turned out to have some curve balls thrown at it. When things like this happen I get so frustrated. Why couldn’t God just give me the nice day I prayed for? And this was just a simple request; what about the big ones? The ones that break us apart?

I wish I had a simple answer, but I am not God and I do not know why He answers how He answers. But I do know that we are led to scripture. Paul writes to the Corinthians about a tribulation that he asked God to take away, and God did not. Instead He responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God wants us to trust Him, to lean on His grace and rely on His power. Even when Jesus knew what He had to do at the end of His path, He asked God for a different way.

“And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'”
Mark 14:36 ESV

Jesus asked for release, but at the same time he told His Father that He trusted His power, and that He trusted His will. What position would we be in if He hadn’t?

When I climbed this winding staircase recently, I started to feel a little panicky. I knew what I was climbing to: a rooftop with a beautiful view. But as I was climbing, I couldn’t see what was ahead of me, or how much farther I had to go. I had to remind myself that I already KNEW what was at the top, and that I WOULD get there. Before not too long, I did, and it was worth the climb! Lord, help us to remember that while sometimes our climb is difficult, and sometimes the answer is no, we can rely on Your grace and Your power, because we already know what awaits us at the end! Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado