Not Just Trusting God, But Trusting God ALONE

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. [Psalm 84.12] 

It is a powerful little verse. It basically sums up the Bible. And, it goes along perfectly with what Hebrews says about God:

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

God actually seeks out those who are committed to full one hundred percent trust in Him: 

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. [2 Chronicles 16.9] 

When we compare God's pleasure with our faith in the verses above with His commandments, we find just how serious God is about our faith and trust in Him and Him ALONE:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

Not just trusting God, but trusting God ALONE is God's idea of relationship. This is God's choice and not man's. Partial trust in God is not even a thing in God's eyes, and goes unrecognized by Him. Contrary to popular belief, God does not give participation awards.

Jesus, as God in the flesh, was not at all being abstract when He laid our His demand upon His followers:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Yes, God's love and mercy are there, but when it comes to faith, He makes no exceptions. "Giving up" and "taking up your cross" are all-in responses to God and not merely suggestions. They are essential. He does not compete for some of our trust - He demands all of it it.

Jesus will not rule our hearts alongside other leaders (idols) in our lives.

We should not be surprised at the statement above, because it is the theme of the entire Bible. To miss God on this point, is to miss God altogether: God is God ALONE.

Frankly, if God's people really believed what is said up to this point (myself included), our lives would look entirely different than they do. We cannot look like God and look like the world too. We cannot trust God and trust the world too. It is not possible... regardless what we deceive ourselves to think. 

Anything we trust (put our faith in) that the godless world trusts also, is an idol. Let that soak in.

Father, Your call to undivided faith is undeniable. Help us to see that until we actually believe this fact, we are just "playing church" in powerless religion. May Your Church rise up in faith that pleases You intentionally choosing faith in You ALONE over any and every worldly solution (idol). So be it.