The Power of Trust

A Reflection on the Psalm for September 26th, 2021:
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 19

R. The precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. 

R. The precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 

R. The precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart.

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect unmindful errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 

R. The precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart.

Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 

R. The precepts of the Lord are right, and give joy to the heart.

Like many people, I struggle with trust: Trust that circumstances will improve in time, trust that my scholarly efforts are enough, trust that I am loved, trust that I can get through this day and the next… the list goes on. One kind of trust we can draw on in these and all other circumstances is trust in our Creator–trust in God.


To me, to trust is to take a leap of faith; to do the crazy, radical, risky, or uncomfortable thing because what lies ahead of our actions, decisions, and thoughts remains unknown or unclear until we take the next step, say what we really want to say with prudence, or make the next big move. However, in reminding ourselves that, “The law of the Lord is perfect," we can take that leap of faith by trusting and we are thus likely to experience a revival of the soul; an invigorating, calming, and peaceful surrender within us: even in the face of struggles, calamities, or uncertainties.


We must also recognize that there is value in trusting while persevering; to keep going whichever way our discernment with the Lord prompts us to (or not), trusting that while we move, God too, is making His move. When we take that leap of faith or trust, whether it’s because we shift career paths, go back to school, decide to be a stay-at-home parent, enter a new relationship with someone, or something else, we are invited to believe that, “the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” We are invited to believe—to decide with conviction and confidence—that if we trust, all can, and eventually will be, all right. (I hope! See, still struggling to trust...)


I realize that this is easier said than done, but when we trust with a joyful surrender and a humble confidence in or an openness to the outcome willed by the Lord, instead of letting our ways, our “unmindful errors” or “hidden faults” “… have dominion over [us],” we can choose to believe that God is trustworthy. In extending our hand, or sharing our plans, dreams, wishes, or thoughts with God, we can be a witness to His “great reward.” Of course, it is important to be mindful of tendencies to trust simply to seek rewards, but an inch, step, or single action of trust is another inch, step, or action of growing closer to the Lord; deepening and making our connection with Him more intimate.


In trusting that while “the decrees of the Lord are sure,” He will not coerce us into trusting Him. He will instead, patiently, lovingly, and steadily wait for us to take that leap of faith to trust. 


Sister, what is one way you can lean on the Lord and decide to trust in Him today? What are you waiting for? Trust in the power of trust!




Gia Tomas

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