"Real Value"

"So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word." (Psalms 119:42)

  Sometimes the easiest way to express something is to live it; otherwise you are just going off what others say, instead of actually knowing what the heck you are talking about. That is pretty much the point given in this verse; combined with that which is said in the last, it expresses our need for this trust we have in God to be tested, in for no other reason than the experience of knowing that what we believe in is real and there is no way anyone can challenge our trust in God. There are plenty of really good examples of this throughout the Scriptures; no greater example was given than when Jesus was hanging on that cross. The greatest answer of all, was Jesus rising from the dead, just as He said that He would! As for those that mocked Him, as He hung on that cross, they had no idea how wrong they were and how little there mocking actually meant. What was the answer to their mocking? Victory over death, the greatest answer that could be given! The peace that we can experience is not found in victory over anything else, but in knowing that no matter what, we come out alive and better off, in a much better place, in the arms of our Lord. Do whatever you want to me, because you cannot take my salvation! That was pretty much the answer Jesus gave to Pilate's question, "Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" Jesus said, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given the from above." You want to talk about what trust in God looks like, knowing Who is in charge, that is how we demonstrate our trust in the Lord. A close second for me, would be Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. When it comes to giving an answer to the trust we have in God, their answer would be a pretty good example of what trust looks like. If you really do believe that there is a better place that awaits you, then your answer is really quite simple...

"Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Adednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."" (Daniel 3:14-18) NLT