The Hiding Place – from 2012
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4NASB
Trust – The word batach means the sense of well-being and security that results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is translated in the Greek LXX as “hope,” not “belief.” It stresses the feeling of being safe and secure rather than an intellectual and volitional act in response to revelation. It means to live at ease because of confidence in God.
Those who trust in God alone will be delivered from their enemies (Ps. 22:4); their prayers will be answered (I Chr. 5:20); they will walk in straight paths (Prov. 3:5); they will be given joy and gladness (Ps. 16:9 and 33:21); they will know inner peace and absence of fear (Ps. 4:8 and Isa. 26:3). The cause for our trust in God’s promises is not based on what we have done or can do. Trusting in God’s promises does not depend on how worthy I am to receive anything from Him. It is based solely on the unswerving loyalty of God’s gracious kindness.
In English, the opposite of trust is mistrust or doubt. But not so in Hebrew. The opposite of batach is sātar, the act of hiding. In other words, the antonym of trust is keeping secrets. In biblical terms, the man with a secret sin has no hope. Why? First, because his secret is a delusion. There are no secrets from God. Therefore, his life stands on something that is not openly shared with God and that means he is not trusting in God alone. His secret is a personal form of idolatry. Secondly, the man with a secret knows that he is out of alignment with God’s directive. His secret robs him of hope in the Lord because it demonstrates his unfaithfulness. Secrets break hesed obligation, the very obligation that maintains an open relationship with God.
Hope in God is not wish fulfillment but rather confident expectation. God’s chief characteristic is His faithfulness and trustworthiness (Deut. 33:28, Ps. 27:3). These characteristics show themselves most clearly to a believer who recognizes that he is utterly without personal resources. The believer must trust completely in a gracious and dependable God. Putting one’s confidence in anything but the sovereign God is complete foolishness. In the Bible, there is a long list of false grounds for security. In particular, the Bible heaps scorn upon those who live in complacency, never having evaluated the flimsy basis of their lives (Isa. 32:9-11, Ezek. 30:9, Amos 6:1).
Batach is a very serious word. We say that we trust God, but too often our actions deny these claims. Recovery begins when we honestly examine our lives and commit ourselves to do something about what we find. A fearless inventory of our behavior usually reveals that we are still trying to take care of things by ourselves. An examination of our personal secrets reveals how little we trust our emotional well-being to God. We really don’t think God is reliable in every area of life. That isn’t trust. Trust says, “God, you are able. I put all my eggs in your basket. I’ll do whatever you want me to do, but unless you come through for me, I’m finished.” Batach claims that we will know inner peace and absence of fear (Ps. 4:8 and Isa. 26:3). Does that describe you? Do you know inner peace? Are you living without fear? Wherever you find chaos or trepidation, batach is probably not present.
Start today. Pick the one thing that you have tried over and over to fix in your life but nothing has changed. Decide to trust Him. Put all the eggs in the basket. You might as well, you know. The alternative is a slow, secret pathway to death.
Topical Index: trust, batach, Psalm 40:4
Each day there is something new on the horizon to test our trust in G-d. It’s not a Greek final exam, but it is the pop quiz of life with one question: “will you trust me (right now) with this?”
Good word and worth reading again. 🙂
I need to read this every day until it becomes part of my lifestyle. Thanks Skip.
Good book: WHEN A JEW RULES THE WORLD by Joel Rosenburg. It reminds me of something Skip would write. As I read it I become very pained and saddened for the mistreatment of my people, because I am grafted into Israel and those are my ancestors. It is an extensive lesson on replacement theology from Paul’s day to the present.
Hi John, makes me think of the ultimate reality – Yeshua ruling the world! I’d love to read what this book says…
Trust maintenance seems to be hard work these days. I guess trust is another aspect of fighting the good fight. Yet, He remains faithful.
The Prince of Peace
The Rest of the Story
~You will keep him in perfect peace, [the ones] whose mind is stayed on You ~ (Isaiah 26.3)
But remember, Jeremiah warns of these false prophets: “They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6.14)
Friend, lets cut it short. The nutshell. It is: “Know Jesus – know peace, no Jesus, no peace,” This is not a truism, – it is the direct gospel truth. He is [in no uncertain terms and of a certainty], the Way – the Truth and the Life. The Way to the Father is through [the shed blood of] Jesus the Son. ~ Because there is [only] One Mediator between [thrice-holy] God, and [sinful] man, the Man Christ Jesus ~
Yes, Abraham, “God will provide Himself the Lamb,” – and He did!
Behold the Lamb upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders..
Sin is the curse. Christ is the cure. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Simply, surely, sweetly, sublimely — “believe on the LORD Jesus Christ” and you will be saved.”
~ If we confess our sins.. (to confess is “to say the same thing as” —to agree with God.)
The Rest of the Story?
~ He is (always) faithful and (always) just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness..~ We must personalize the prayer found in the parable of the prodigal son.. “Forgive me* Father, for I* have sinned..” This is my confession.
But wait! Please.. don’t stop here! What is “the REST of the story?” There is SO much more!!
In His own words… “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14.27)
Yes, and amen. “Glory to God in highest Heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of tHis peace so sublime!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
“All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation: for God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this [marvelous] message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
Carl,
I’m curious to know why you think the rules/request don’t apply to you.
Skip, and many other readers, made it very clear that they would prefer shorter comments.
Are you unwilling or unable to comply to this request?
Rules? 500 or 400 words? If my response or the length thereof offends anyone.. simply “skip over it” – don’t read it.. or read the first and last sentence. Yes, this is Skip’s webpage..- not mine, – I am not attempting to “take over.” Maybe I am less free to express what is within than once thought.. Stay blessed, Judi B. Shalom
What a gracious response, Carl. I must confess that I often skip over your longer missives… 🙂
Hello Skip and others,
Your two recent reflections, The Hiding Place, (today) and Resentment (Shabbat) are timely for me to ponder. No one likes to admit they have or may have a secret sin. I am aware when mine rears its ugly head and the reasons. Evil, my choice to allow it to fester does corrode my batach, trust in God. I need His mercy, grace, amnesty and power to overcome it. In my spirit God’s way of living are preferred. Prayers appreciated! I have a believer friend who recently said of himself, I am not the man God adores nor the one my mother brags about.
David R
I know just what your friend meant. Praying might be the ONLY answer.
Desperation seemed otherwise at the time, but after reflection and proper direction, it was/is Fathers great gift
” It stresses the feeling of being safe and secure rather than an intellectual and volitional act in response to revelation.”
Any feelings of safety and security come from my little understanding of YHVH and his faithfulness to Israel. If faithful to them, then I am assured he will be to me as well. My former intellectual and volitional acknowledgment left me with a false sense about things.
Working out my salvation with fear and trembling has new meaning now.
Would you say that secrets go along with those who practice deceit or perhaps tell lies? Is there such a thing as a little white lie? I just reread Psalm 120. Prayer for Deliverance from the Treacherous. I seem to run into people like this.
A couple of years ago in a bible study group, a member asked for prayer for her daughter, who was beside herself with worry about money and paying her bills. She was anxious, fearful, depressed and agitated that her world was imploding around her, said the mother. But then she added this: “Of course, she’s trusting in God!” We are expected to say these things in church-world, when in reality, we go on fretting about doom and gloom. I know the “trust” bar is a tall bar, so tall that I know I can’t count the times in my life, when I never even tried to get over it. We’re probably all cut that way, some more then others. Maybe we should pray each morning that God will “help my unbelief”, because it’s easy to “talk the talk”, but quite a different thing to “walk the walk” and avoid gross hypocrisy.
David Williams, I must pray not once but several times a day and often at night, “Lord I do believe, help my unbelief!”. And in my elderly years, I pray it far more than when I was in my middle age years, and walked so quietly and strongly in the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit. Now, in old age, all the forces of hell seem to come against my trust in the Lord. My spouse of sixty-one years dead, our friends, relatives by the dozens deceased. Three of my closest friends sold their homes here and moved in Nov. and Dec. to be nearer relatives.
But as I silently grieve and recount our lives of the past; I stop and recall that all life ends, God has a purpose in it. I give THANKS to HIM that I am still able to do many things. I walk, eat, care for myself, drive my truck. Pay bills, help others. Stand up against those that take advantage of old people.
And then once again I KNOW that I must smile, and speak an uplifting word to all that I see, talk to, give unto, write to, and encourage them in whatever they are doing–even the ordinary workers, and say to one in a grocery line something to this effect, ” God loves workers, he has created a lot of them, what would we do without all of you? we need to love you, too. May His Great Love Shine on You.” I have yet for one of those weary people not to smile back and say thanks, as they rush on out! I even sometimes yell to my trash pick up people, what would the streets looks like if you guys did not come for three months, or more? and put thumbs up to them. Once in a great while, when I have several trash cans out, I give them a $ five dollar bill. We are to be “encouragers”!
LaVaye, you are always a spot of sunshine to me! Thank you for being the example I need, too. The world needs encouragers most of all, and I needed one today. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Love, Laurita
I’m with you, pretty much finished with the religious language expectations. But I am still investigating the idea of trust in Hebrew. I’m not sure it even has a “bar.” I’m starting to think that it is more like just staying alive. My rumination will probably show up in print sometime.
Surrender is difficult in a secular environment for some. You want to let YHVH take the driver’s seat; however, something holds you at bay.
Or, maybe HE wants us to be in the drivers seat, but follow His instructions and teachings. After all YHWH wants us to learn how to drive the way He drives….just a thought.
The greatest driving instructor we could ever have if we are willing to listen and obey.
John, that’s a good one. I am going to have to sit back and think about that. It is for sure He is not going to do for us what we can do for ourselves. Perhaps His reserve is actually a vote of confidence in us?
During a three day supernatural period which occurred at age 44 from December 23,24,25th in 2007, too long to write out here. I was told by three Devine messengers to retrieve a super natural stone, then I was told by an Angel who’s been with me since age seven wearing a purple and red robe, said that I would have new name in heaven. This Devine being of YHVH said my new name in heaven would be “Batach Shamir”. The Angel and I repeated the name exactly three times. What does this name mean? 13 days later on January 8th 2008 I was given my third an final of long dreams I’ve had during my life. I’m about half way through this dream which is symbolic for event’s that reflects real life events in my life, that is to effect many. Many important things are going to happen. I would just like to know what the name means and it’s importance has on my life with YHVH. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Dear Joseph,
That must have been quite an experience. As for the name, the first word is most likely a form of the verb meaning “trust.” The second looks like a form of the verb shamar. It means, “to obey, to keep, to observe.”
Thank you, and yes it was. Two weeks later I would receive my third long dream on January 8th, 2008. This would be a purpose dream. This dream would show me many things to come and what I would be doing. It reflects an earlier dream I had in the early 80’s. The two are almost identical except one showed an occurrence during the first earth age, and the third dream I’m now in is these latter days. Many of God’s children will not be doing their job’s and will need to be shown an example of how to deal with Satan. The two Witnesses will be prophecy as or also the chosen ones. The tribulation period will be very chaotic to say the least. I don’t really know how much I am to say about the dream since it references what I am to do and wiil be going through. But the Father YHVH has shown me many things since when I have prayed about certain parts of the dream. The name in Heaven I believe reflects more of my character, i’m thinking. Being prepared is more my goal, as we as praying for wisdom to carry out my purpose.
Thank you for the explanation of Batach
Batach can also mean “Bold”.