On the United States currency we read, “In God we trust.” There are many citizens of our country who think that statement should be removed. They have no trust in God nor faith that God had anything to do with the founding of this great nation. More of us, on the other hand, believe that there were various groups of people who were specifically led to this great country because of their faith in God. They prospered, in spite of hardships, for the very same reason. Their faith and trust in Him is what gave them the courage to build towns and cities and clear the land and farms in the wilderness. Without that kind of faith, this country would not be what it is today. There is very little courage displayed, nor do great things happen, when the only thing a person or group had to rely on is their trust or faith in the ‘arm of flesh.’ This has been demonstrated over and over again.
There is a story about an atheist taking a stroll through the forest one day and he interrupted a bear feeding on some berries. The bear started chasing the atheist, and when he caught him, he hovered menacingly over him and was just about to swipe him with his big, sharp claws when the atheist prayed to God and said, “I know I’ve never talked with you before, and so you probably wouldn’t do anything for me, but would you at least make this bear a gentle Christian? Immediately, the bear became very calm and bowed his head reverently, put his paws together and prayed, “Dear Lord, please bless this food that I am about to partake of.”
When we have only man to trust in, it shouldn’t take us very long to realize that our life is on a pretty weak foundation. When men are brought together in a bond of heavenly trust, there is strength that can’t be found in any other type of agreement or association between men. There are examples throughout history that prove that. God will strengthen and uphold those who place their trust in Him who then work and fight as if everything depended upon them. In victory they come together and praise and acknowledge God for giving them strength and protecting them. Atheists say they were victorious because of the way they fought, as men, and that God had nothing to do with it. Atheists, obviously have never felt the strength of the spirit when it touches a man’s heart. The believer may not be able to describe in detail what it was that drove him and strengthened him, but he will testify that it was something more than himself that kept him going and gave him courage and energy.
Can we even imagine what it would be like to live in a society where there was no trust between the people; where everyone was suspicious of everyone else? Lawyers would be the largest group in the labor force, and all things would be done by contract, because of the lack of trust. A handshake or a person’s word would be worthless; everyone would carry guns, just in case. We have all known people living in our neighborhoods who seemed not to trust anyone. Interestingly, those were the people least trusted and seldom were relied upon when a cooperative effort was necessary. The following story demonstrates the value of trust: “It was the first day on the job, and the new school principal was checking out the school. Passing the stock room, he noticed that the door was wide open and teachers were bustling in and out, carrying off books and supplies in preparation for the arrival of students the next day. At the school where he had previously been, the principal had used a very careful checkout system, only slightly less stringent than Fort Knox. Cautiously, he asked the school’s long time custodian, “Do you think it’s wise to keep the stock room unlocked and to let the teachers take things without requisitions?” The custodian looked at him gravely. “We trust them with the children, don’t we?”
When we trust in God, it is easier to have faith that men and women are trustworthy, too. I, personally am grateful that we have “In God we trust” on our money. We would be a sorry society if we failed to trust in the God of this universe where our little planet earth is located.