5 Reasons Why it “ ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

It’s another one of those seasons of life where the same ideas keep coming up everywhere I turn. Faith. Trust. Assurance. God’s shown it to me repeatedly. Devotionals. Creation. AWANA lessons. And this week, in a song.

I love music. Its lyrics and melody do so much for my soul. Soothe. Fortify. Undergird.

God was so kind to lead me to this particular song. It was His gentle way of reminding me why he is asking me to trust and have faith. It’s not just because it’s what He desires. Not just because it’s what pleases Him. Not just because it gives testimony to the world. (Although all those things are valid.)

It’s also because it is good for me. It really ‘tis so, so sweet to trust in Jesus.

Here are five truths God spoke to me this week through this song. I’m still turning them over in my heart and my mind. Maybe you need them too.

1. Trusting gives rest.

Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

God’s promises are solid and steady. They provide a solid foundation that keeps our feet from slipping and an anchor for our souls that keep us steady even in the midst of the storms of life.

Trusting God and His promises causes me to place my confidence in another. And that brings rest, calm and contentment.

You know who is exemplifies this idea best? Babies. This is the picture God gives us of what it would look like to trust in Him and experience the rest He offers.

Lord, I don’t feel proud. I don’t see myself as better than others. I am not thinking about doing great things or reaching impossible goals. No, right now I am calm and quiet, like a child after nursing, content in its mother’s arms. Israel, trust in the Lord. Trust in him now and forever! (Psalm 131 ESV)

2. Trusting brings healing.

And in simple faith to plunge me, ‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

God’s work of salvation accomplished a lot of things. Cleansing from sin. Birth of new life. Direct access to God. And healing of our deep internal wounds.

I love how Jeremiah says this!

God, pick up the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise! (Jeremiah 17:14 MSG)

When I trust God, it’s not just a trust that He will change circumstances. Not just a trust that whatever happens will bring Him glory. But a trust that He will meet me at the places of my wounds, fears, and sorrows and will mend those things deep within.

3. Trusting means I don’t have to rely on myself.

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease;

We are a self-reliant people. Some of this is innate. Some of it is conditioned by the time and place in which we live. And some comes from our unique personality. All of it goes against what God originally intended.

Abraham trusted God and left his home not knowing where he was going. He didn’t have a map. He didn’t know the destination. What freedom that must have given him!

And this is the sweetness, the gift, of trust. It relieves me of the responsibility of orchestrating and planning the myriad of circumstances I encounter each day.

I can rely on God. He never intended that I grow into self-sufficiency. His desire is to bear the load and show the way at every turn.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG)

4. Trusting means going to Jesus for what I need.

Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Children aren’t shy about asking for what they need, or want. It is perfectly natural for them to depend on others and make requests of them.

Somehow, over time we move away from this. We think we shouldn’t need help. If we were stronger, better, wiser, more spiritual, then we could find within us whatever we need to move forward. But that’s faulty thinking.

Jesus knew I would need Him and He freely offers Himself. All I must do is humble myself, trust Him, and ask for whatever I need. And when I do? I find generosity and abundance that I can’t even begin to fathom. Life. Rest. Joy. Peace.

O that my heart would be like this psalmist,

You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. (Psalm 16:5 GNT)

5. Trusting leads to intimacy.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, friend.

Notice the progression: from a person of the Godhead, to a rescuer, to a close relationship. This is the real gift that Jesus secured for us. This is the heart of God. To live as He intended. In intimacy with Him.

Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. (II Peter 1:3 MSG)

The more I trust this friend, the better I know Him and the closer our relationship grows.

This is why God asks me to trust. And why He asks you to do the same.

I hope you can spend some time internalizing these truths this week.

My prayer is that you will be able to say, as I now can, “ ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”