“The little bird has chosen his shelter; above it are the stars and the deep heaven of worlds; yet he is rocking himself to sleep without caring for tomorrow’s lodging, calmly clinging to his little twig and leaving God to think for him” Martin Luther (1483–1546)

A few years ago I underwent surgery on my right hand for a condition known as Dupuytren’s Contracture. The little finger curls in and if not corrected will pull the other fingers down also. No big deal, apart from the fact that I am not ambidextrous and found that minor everyday tasks became major exercises. More recently I have required eight procedures on my eyes to deal with macular degeneration, cataract removal and ocular implants.

Whilst not having any fears concerning surgery, what did worry me was having a full anaesthetic. Family history did not fill me with confidence – my father-in-law died during prostate surgery and my mother did not come out of an anaesthetic when having a minor foot operation. So, whilst in theatre waiting for the anaesthetist to insert the needle, it occurred to me how much we must trust others at such times.

Suffice to say that I awoke some two hours later with a heavily bandaged hand and some minor discomfort, thankful that all went well and that my trust in the anaesthetist and surgeon was not misplaced. Neither was my trust in God.

I can have some sympathy with Biblical tribes who had to place their trust in others, not knowing what the outcome would be. Unlike those great leaders, men like Moses who trusted God implicitly, the followers had to put their trust in the man. How difficult it must be for doubters and unbelievers to place their whole trust in a person. Every day as we go about our lives, we may not give thought to the trust we must place in others – doctors, nurses, airline pilots, bus drivers – and countless other people who, in performing their daily tasks, have our safety and well being in their hands.

In these troubled days as we reflect on the threat of terrorism and conflict in many parts of the world, we are required to trust the judgement and motives of our leaders. Can we be sure that they have put their trust in God as they lead us into the unknown? We can hope, maybe presume, but we cannot be sure. What we can be sure of is the unfailing love of God as we bring our concerns to Him with complete trust.

“Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but his smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear, can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” (From the hymn “Trust and Obey” John Henry Sammis).

Pastor Ron w4w2@bigpond.com