January 5th, 2025
Based on the tag-team sermon by Pastor Jeff Maness, Ferrin Gillespie, Ryan Akers, and Justin Ruszkiewicz on January 5, 2025.
Trust. It’s such a simple word yet carries profound weight. Who do you trust completely? Maybe you struggle to answer that question, especially if life has taught you that trust can be broken by those closest to you—friends, family, colleagues, or even yourself. But what about God? If He asked, “Do you trust me?” how would you respond?
The truth is, trust in God can feel challenging, even for those of us who already believe. We may trust Him with our eternal souls yet hesitate to trust Him with our earthly circumstances. If you’ve ever felt this tension, know you’re not alone.
This struggle to trust God, particularly in the messy, uncertain, and painful moments, is what brings us to Psalm 25. Written by King David during a season of distress, this psalm offers timeless wisdom about trusting God, not because of what He allows in our lives, but because of who He is in our lives.
The truth is, trust in God can feel challenging, even for those of us who already believe. We may trust Him with our eternal souls yet hesitate to trust Him with our earthly circumstances. If you’ve ever felt this tension, know you’re not alone.
This struggle to trust God, particularly in the messy, uncertain, and painful moments, is what brings us to Psalm 25. Written by King David during a season of distress, this psalm offers timeless wisdom about trusting God, not because of what He allows in our lives, but because of who He is in our lives.
He Guides Us in Truth
Psalm 25 begins with David’s declaration of trust:
“O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!” (Psalm 25:1-2, NLT).
David’s circumstances were bleak—loneliness, enemies, worsening troubles—but his trust wasn’t tied to his situation. Instead, it was anchored in God’s unchanging character. That’s the heart of trust in God: it isn’t based on outcomes; it’s rooted in His presence and faithfulness amid uncertainty.
When life feels chaotic, it’s easy to doubt God’s goodness. But as Ferrin shared in her part of this tag-team sermon, “My expectations have disappointed me far more than God ever has.” Our trust falters when we measure God’s goodness by our limited perspective, mistaking “good” for “what I want.” But as Psalm 25:8 reminds us, God’s goodness—His tov—is about what is fitting, right, and ultimately for our benefit.
Ferrin’s personal story reflects this truth. She once told God she’d follow Him anywhere except Houston, believing her plans were best. Yet, in hindsight, she sees how God’s path was immeasurably better. “If I had settled for my version of good instead of God’s, I would have missed the mountain for the rock,” she said. Trust grows when we remember that God’s goodness doesn’t always align with our preferences, but it’s always perfect.
“O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!” (Psalm 25:1-2, NLT).
David’s circumstances were bleak—loneliness, enemies, worsening troubles—but his trust wasn’t tied to his situation. Instead, it was anchored in God’s unchanging character. That’s the heart of trust in God: it isn’t based on outcomes; it’s rooted in His presence and faithfulness amid uncertainty.
When life feels chaotic, it’s easy to doubt God’s goodness. But as Ferrin shared in her part of this tag-team sermon, “My expectations have disappointed me far more than God ever has.” Our trust falters when we measure God’s goodness by our limited perspective, mistaking “good” for “what I want.” But as Psalm 25:8 reminds us, God’s goodness—His tov—is about what is fitting, right, and ultimately for our benefit.
Ferrin’s personal story reflects this truth. She once told God she’d follow Him anywhere except Houston, believing her plans were best. Yet, in hindsight, she sees how God’s path was immeasurably better. “If I had settled for my version of good instead of God’s, I would have missed the mountain for the rock,” she said. Trust grows when we remember that God’s goodness doesn’t always align with our preferences, but it’s always perfect.
He Gifts Us Mercy
Another reason to trust God? His mercy. Psalm 25:6-7 paints a beautiful picture:
“Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.”
David knew firsthand the depth of God’s mercy. Despite his failures—his sin with Bathsheba, his moments of doubt—God’s mercy never wavered. Mercy isn’t an occasional act of kindness; it’s part of God’s eternal character. And because of Jesus, that same mercy is available to us today.
Ryan illustrated this in his part of the sermon with a powerful story of forgiveness. A mother, Renee Napier, chose to forgive the man who killed her daughter in a drunk driving accident. Her mercy not only transformed his life but also led him to Christ. This radical act of grace mirrors the mercy we receive from God—mercy that forgives, restores, and equips us to extend the same to others.
Trusting God means embracing His mercy for our past, present, and future. It’s the assurance that we are not defined by our failures but by His love.
“Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.”
David knew firsthand the depth of God’s mercy. Despite his failures—his sin with Bathsheba, his moments of doubt—God’s mercy never wavered. Mercy isn’t an occasional act of kindness; it’s part of God’s eternal character. And because of Jesus, that same mercy is available to us today.
Ryan illustrated this in his part of the sermon with a powerful story of forgiveness. A mother, Renee Napier, chose to forgive the man who killed her daughter in a drunk driving accident. Her mercy not only transformed his life but also led him to Christ. This radical act of grace mirrors the mercy we receive from God—mercy that forgives, restores, and equips us to extend the same to others.
Trusting God means embracing His mercy for our past, present, and future. It’s the assurance that we are not defined by our failures but by His love.
He Guards the Humble
Psalm 25:9 says,
“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.”
Humility and trust go hand in hand. To trust God, we must recognize our need for Him. As Justin shared in his portion of the sermon, humility isn’t about self-deprecation; it’s about being teachable and open to God’s guidance. Pride, on the other hand, often masks fear and a lack of trust. We build walls, convinced we must rely on ourselves, yet those walls keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace.
Justin’s honesty about his struggles with pride resonates deeply. He shared how his initial motivation for ministry stemmed from a desire to mask his inner pain. But over time, he learned that true freedom comes from letting down those walls and allowing God to lead. When we humble ourselves, God not only guides us but also guards us, protecting us from the very things that once caused us shame.
“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.”
Humility and trust go hand in hand. To trust God, we must recognize our need for Him. As Justin shared in his portion of the sermon, humility isn’t about self-deprecation; it’s about being teachable and open to God’s guidance. Pride, on the other hand, often masks fear and a lack of trust. We build walls, convinced we must rely on ourselves, yet those walls keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace.
Justin’s honesty about his struggles with pride resonates deeply. He shared how his initial motivation for ministry stemmed from a desire to mask his inner pain. But over time, he learned that true freedom comes from letting down those walls and allowing God to lead. When we humble ourselves, God not only guides us but also guards us, protecting us from the very things that once caused us shame.
Trusting God in 2025
As we step into this new year, the invitation to trust God remains. Trust in His goodness, even when it doesn’t look like what we expect. Trust in His mercy, which transforms our past and sustains our future. Trust in His guidance, knowing that humility paves the way to His protection.
David’s words in Psalm 25 remind us that trust isn’t a passive act; it’s an active choice to believe in who God is, no matter our circumstances. May 2025 be a year where we anchor our trust not in what God does or doesn’t allow, but in what He is doing in the midst of it all.
So, ask yourself: What would it look like to trust God more this year? Whether you’re facing uncertainties, heartache, or simply the unknown, remember: His goodness never fails, His mercy is always fresh, and His guidance is unfailing. Trust Him—He’s got you.
Have you ever had a hard time trusting God's goodness, mercy, or guidance? Talk about it in the comments.
David’s words in Psalm 25 remind us that trust isn’t a passive act; it’s an active choice to believe in who God is, no matter our circumstances. May 2025 be a year where we anchor our trust not in what God does or doesn’t allow, but in what He is doing in the midst of it all.
So, ask yourself: What would it look like to trust God more this year? Whether you’re facing uncertainties, heartache, or simply the unknown, remember: His goodness never fails, His mercy is always fresh, and His guidance is unfailing. Trust Him—He’s got you.
Have you ever had a hard time trusting God's goodness, mercy, or guidance? Talk about it in the comments.
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