Don't Trust in Man

The term "Trust" is used in the KJV 134 times. There are several different Hebrew words behind the English word "trust."

A simplistic definition of the word trust is, "To rely on the integrity of someone who is being true to you."

It is not new to struggle with trust. Trust is always a risk - it always opens us up to betrayal and loss.

Great men in the Bible struggled with their trust in God. "Jeremiah wondered whether God was deceiving him (Jer. 15:18). Job questioned whether he could get a fair hearing from the God whom he saw as his afflicter (Job 9:13-35). "

Is it any wonder there are far more exhortations to trust God, than examples and expressions of trust.

Our English "trust" is an abstract concept - something that can't be sensed by the five senses. The Hebrew however is a concrete oriented language where each word is associated with something that can be sensed with one or more of the senses.

📷 Psalm 18:2 the Psalmist declares, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

This word trust has the meaning of "to lean on something or someone"

This is the same word used in:

Ruth 2:11-13 King James Version (KJV) Where Boaz is meeting and talking to Ruth for the first time - Listen in to part of their conversation:

11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

It's also used in:

2 Samuel 22 King James Version (KJV)

22 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Aren't you glad you can lean on God.

The songwriter put it so well

"Learning to lean, I'm learning to lean

I'm Learning to Lean on Jesus Finding more power than I'd ever dreamed I'm learning to Lean on Jesus"

Writer John Stallings

📷 Psalm 56:4 In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

This word trust has the idea "to cling"

This is also the same word used in our text - don't cling to man - man will fail. Man will fall - The Psalmist is telling us to CLING TO GOD!!!

I will cling to God -

The songwriter penned:

"Could my tears forever flow Could my zeal no languor know These for sin could not atone Thou must save and thou alone In my hand no price I bring Simply to thy Cross I CLING

I love the painting of the "Rock of Ages" a lady tattered and torn sea worn and weary clinging to a cross shaped rock out in the midst of a boisterous sea.

All around her is water waves, death if she lets go - but she hangs on through the fiercest wind and storm.

This is the same term used by in :

Job 13:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

Another hymnwriter put it this way -

And it holds, my anchor holds:

Blow your wildest, then, O gale,

On my bark so small and frail;

By His grace I shall not fail,

For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

Don't trust in man or man's things:

Lean on the LordCling to His HandHe is faithful - He is True - HE IS TRUSTWORTHY!!!!