Do You Trust Him?

A Reflection on the First Reading for August 11th, 2019:
​Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 18.6-9

The night of the deliverance from Egypt was made known beforehand to our ancestors, so that they might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted. 

The deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of their enemies were expected by your people. For by the same means by which you punished our enemies you called us to yourself and glorified us. 

For in secret the holy children of good people offered sacrifices, and with one accord agreed to the divine law, so that the saints would share alike the same things, both blessings and dangers; and already they were singing the praises of the ancestors.

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How much do you trust God?


By nature I am a deliberative person and I like to be prepared. I weigh the risks carefully with each decision I make, always trying to be prepared for each possible outcome. I don’t like to make wrong decisions and I don’t like to make mistakes. With that being said, and after pondering this reading from Wisdom, I’m left asking myself how much room do I leave open for the Holy Spirit to work versus ensuring I am always in control?

"[H]ow much room do I leave open for the Holy Spirit to work versus ensuring I am always in control?"

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God promised the Israelites that they would be freed from the bondage the Egyptians had over them. He promised them that they would be freed from their slavery. The night of Passover was the 10th plague that God brought upon the Egyptians which finally lead to the release of the Israelites. As the angel of death passed over Egypt, it took with it the lives of each first born Egyptian. Meanwhile, it passed over the Israelites, sparing them as they made sacrifice to God. The Israelites were told about God’s oath to set them free in order that they might trust in Him and rejoice when it came to fruition.


My journey of trust in God is just that—a journey. One in which I am learning to give more of my life over in trust of Him. I would say my biggest leap of trust was when I gave up my career to work in ministry. This was a big turning point in my faith as I transitioned to trying to live a life of service to Him rather than for myself or anyone else. Our financial security worried me, but I decided to put my trust in God and go for it.


In addition to finances, another area of trust I’ve struggled with is the future of my children. I’ve wrestled with wanting them to be successful, motivated, or sometimes longed for them to change who they are in order to better fit some mould I think they should fit into. When I pray and lean into my faith I know God is telling me to put my trust in Him. This brings me peace. God has a plan for each one of them and I need to trust in that plan. I know His promise to us is life eternal with the battle of sin already won. Just as the Israelites rejoiced in their freedom, I too need to rejoice in that freedom.
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Let us Pray:
Father we pray for a deeper trust in you and the oath you have with each one of us—a plan to prosper not harm, plans to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)


Tammy LeBlanc

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