^{2Ch 16:1-3} "In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, [There is] a league between me and thee, as [there was] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me."

Dear Sisters and Brothers, when we encounter a tribulation in our life, what's our reaction? The verses above tell a story about the king Asa, who was trusting in the LORD that smote the Ethiopians of an host of a thousand thousand (2Ch 14:9-12), at his old age trusted in gold and men instead! At the end as the LORD said to him through the seer Hanani: "Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (2Ch 16:9)

What is the war in our life? Do we have trouble in marriage? in family? with colleagues? in business? in school? in illness? or even in the church? When we encounter these tribulations, what's our reaction? The LORD through king Asa tells us the Truth, that is if we would like to rely on money or human beings to resolve our wars in life, the ending will be "herefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." that is more wars to come!

What does it mean to Trust in the LORD?

Trust in the LORD means Do not lean on our own understanding: Pro 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on men: Psm 146:3-4 "Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."

Trust in the LORD means Do not take heed on all words that are spoken by men: Psm 116:11 "I said in my haste, All men [are] liars." Ecc 7:21 "Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;"

Trust in the LORD means Do not labor to be rich: Pro 23:4-5 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on the power: Psm 33:16 "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on the plan: Psm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain."

Trust in the LORD means Do not trust in idols: Psm 115:4-8 "Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them."

How do we Trust in the LORD then?

Let's read another set of verses: Mak 6:47-51 "And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."

Our life (ship) on earth (sea) is as a ship sails in the midst of the sea. We sin against the LORD, therefore "the wind was contrary unto" us and we trusted in ourselves thus we were often "toiling in rowing" all day and all night ("about forth watch of the night") without resting. Our Lord Jesus saw our sufferings from the Heavens ("on the land") and come unto us on earth ("walking upon the sea"). But we did not know Him and even thought "it had been a spirit, and cried out: For we all saw Him and were troubled!" Men do not know Him, when tribulation come, all were troubled and cannot Trust in Him. Our Lord Jesus has mercy upon us and forgives our foolishness and unbelief. He came and said to us "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." When Jesus "went up into the ship" (Jesus went up unto us into our heart), miracle happened: "the wind ceased"! ------ when we reconciled with Him, the joy and the peace from the Heavens overflow in us!  ------ Just like when Jehoshaphat, the son of king Asa, turned to the LORD again and trusted in the LORD alone, "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about." (2Ch 20:30).

Dear Sisters and Brothers, would you like to quiet down the war in your life? would you like to cease the wind against you? Let's pray to our Lord  the only Savior Jesus Christ to "go up into our ship", let us only Trust in Him and Him alone. Praise be thy Name, Amen.