The Glue of Life
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” - Proverbs 3:5
The late Bishop Henry Potter of New York was sailing for Europe in one of the great transatlantic ships that were commonplace in the 19th century. When he got on board, he discovered that another passenger had been assigned to share the cabin with him. After meeting his new roommate, he decided to go to the front desk to inquire if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship’s safe.
He explained that ordinarily he would never make such a request, but after checking into his cabin and meeting the man who was assigned to occupy the room with him, judging from his appearance he was afraid that he might not be a trustworthy person. The attendant kindly accepted his valuables and remarked, “It’s alright Bishop, I’ll be very glad to take care of your things for you. The other man has been up here and left his belongings for the exact same reason.”
Trust is a critical part of what it means to be human and is essential in our walk with God. Everything we do requires trust. When you go to the doctor, you trust that the prescription written will address your illness. When you go to the pharmacy you trust that the pharmacist can read that illegible writing and fill out the order. When you go home and take the medication, you trust that the pharmacist put the right medication in the bottle.
Everything we do is predicated on trust. Stephen Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Trust is so central to the moral arc of the universe that Scripture is replete with aphorisms and admonitions about it. Proverbs 3:5 famously says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”
Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, God whose word I praise. In God I will trust, I will not be afraid.” Trust is the glue of life, and that glue is what sticks us to God. We must trust Him. Without that trust, we have nothing to hope for, nothing to believe in. What or who is your source of trust?
If you do not trust, what do you have? If you do not trust God, whom can you trust?
The late Bishop Henry Potter of New York was sailing for Europe in one of the great transatlantic ships that were commonplace in the 19th century. When he got on board, he discovered that another passenger had been assigned to share the cabin with him. After meeting his new roommate, he decided to go to the front desk to inquire if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship’s safe.
He explained that ordinarily he would never make such a request, but after checking into his cabin and meeting the man who was assigned to occupy the room with him, judging from his appearance he was afraid that he might not be a trustworthy person. The attendant kindly accepted his valuables and remarked, “It’s alright Bishop, I’ll be very glad to take care of your things for you. The other man has been up here and left his belongings for the exact same reason.”
Trust is a critical part of what it means to be human and is essential in our walk with God. Everything we do requires trust. When you go to the doctor, you trust that the prescription written will address your illness. When you go to the pharmacy you trust that the pharmacist can read that illegible writing and fill out the order. When you go home and take the medication, you trust that the pharmacist put the right medication in the bottle.
Everything we do is predicated on trust. Stephen Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Trust is so central to the moral arc of the universe that Scripture is replete with aphorisms and admonitions about it. Proverbs 3:5 famously says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”
Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, God whose word I praise. In God I will trust, I will not be afraid.” Trust is the glue of life, and that glue is what sticks us to God. We must trust Him. Without that trust, we have nothing to hope for, nothing to believe in. What or who is your source of trust?
If you do not trust, what do you have? If you do not trust God, whom can you trust?
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments