Trusting in His Character

The elderly woman recalled the time when she was a little girl and the circus was coming to town. Her father promised to take her, and when the big day of the big top arrived, she waited in eager anticipation for him to come for her. And she waited. And waited. He never came. More than 75 years later, she cried as she told the story, for the pain of a father’s promise broken and a child’s hope dashed still ran deep. I wondered how that one single letdown—seemingly small in the scope of life, but then again not in the life of one so small—affected her ability to trust others or her willingness to hope for good things in life.

Letdowns naturally lead to shutdowns. The world is filled with imperfect people, and in their imperfection, they hurt us, just as we with our flaws harm them. Then rather than risk more pain, we close off part of ourselves; trust itself—perhaps even our faith in God—becomes a casualty. Yet the character of God is different than our own: He is the One who pursues us, like a father eagerly scanning the horizon for his wayward child. He doesn’t forget us or break His promises, for faithful is His character. Hear His appeal through the prophet Isaiah: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”¹ How encouraging this promise! How flawless the integrity of Him who utters it!

Sometimes it may feel as though God lets us down. I remember as a young boy, for instance, praying for my father to survive a heart attack, but he didn’t. Crushed, I became distrustful of God and eventually very angry with Him. Yet over time God has opened my eyes to see His incessant presence in my life, even when I failed Him or blamed Him for failing me. I’ve come to realize He is constantly preparing His people for life in His presence—steadily burning away our earthly desires and shifting our focus toward the marvels of a new heaven and a new earth. And when this “big top” comes to town, Jesus will be there to take us with Him, just as He promised: “After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.”² He will be there for us, for He is faithful. We can trust Him.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Father, though people let us down, You will not. Forgive us for ever doubting Your goodness, faithfulness and love. We trust You with our lives. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Isaiah 49:5
² John 14:3