Leaning On Jesus

One night I was on my way home, a slow, large crane tractor pulled out from the entrance near the market where I was about to enter. It has a long, heavy, steel arms that lifted a man in a basket all the way to the top where he changed the light bulbs of the street lamps. Then while at work, there were men who walks on bamboo scaffoldings constructed just outside my office window to refurbish and paint the building walls. What do these men have in common? Well, they both work on high places. They both risk their lives by strapping themselves securely and leaning their weight on a thick leather safety belt.

Actually, this is what trusting in the Lord is like. We go about our round of tasks at home and at work doing variety of tasks. It appears that we all work on our own sufficiency, but little we realize that our spiritual success depends on leaning our emotional, spiritual, and volitional weight on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of our strength and security. We are dependent on Him. Our times are in His hands. Of course, who else do you think holds our future but God! Trusting in the Lord, leaning on His adequacy, is possible as we anchor our confidence in the promises of God. There are some fearful moments in life, times when we doubt. But when circumstances are less than favorable, nothing is more comforting or stabilizing than looking to the Scriptures for support and direction. God’s Word is sure. It never fails – not one word. We fail God. But for sure, He never fails us. His Word ministers to our deepest needs and speaks to our innermost beings. When we place our faith in God’s Word, we accept it as His truth, despite our wavering feelings. We simply believe that God means what He says and that He will fulfill all His promises. We also lean our weight on Christ by affirming the character of God. We can trust in His Word because He is trustworthy. We can count on His help because He is faithful. The attributes of God – such as His holiness, goodness, mercy, justice, and grace – anchor our faith in Him. The better we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we see His hand at work in our midst.

There are times when we find it difficult to continue trusting when there seem to be nothing happening. We demand that we see the big picture in the process. When one person is strong, attractive, famous, rich or talented, it is difficult for him to put his trust in God easily since there is pride, conceit and vanity. Who needs God when I am so strong? Who needs God when I have so many talents? Who needs God when I am the most attractive one? Later you’ll simply discover that all these will fade away realizing your weaknesses and the need to lean on something more dependable and trustworthy.

But once we begin to put our trust in God, we immediately put that trust into expressions. Perhaps one of the most significant ways that we place our full trust in Christ is by praising Him regardless of the circumstances. By praising we shout our faith in God. It exalts Him and declares that we will follow Him and look to Him even when the odds appear against us. This is what Paul and Silas did while in prison. They were stripped, severely beaten and later was thrown into prison. They were placed in the inner prison and their feet clamped with chains. By midnight, the two were singing hymns and praying to God while their inmates listen. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison’s foundations. All the doors flew open and all of the prisoners’ chains were loosed. The jailer was awakened to see the prison doors were widely open thinking the prisoners had escaped. So he drew his sword to kill himself but was stopped by Paul saying they did not escape. (Acts 16:22-27).

When we praise God, we magnify the majesty and greatness of our Father, focusing on who God is, and that is divinely given catalyst for trusting Him even more. Praise drives away fear and builds faith. The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. He clings to the promises of God, delights in the character of God, and worships God whether in darkness or in light. He leans on the everlasting arms that never fail or forsake him.

Bible passage to read: Acts 16:16-40

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine;
Leaning on the everlasting arms”