Trusting When You Don’t Understand
Trusting God is one of the most familiar encouragements in Scripture—and one of the most difficult to live out.
Proverbs 3 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on our own understanding”. We love the promise that God will make our paths straight, but that promise comes after choosing to trust Him, even when we don't understand what He's doing.
This week's message centered on 2 Kings 3, where three kings formed an alliance to battle the Moabites. On paper, everything looked promising. They had the numbers, the resources, and a solid plan. But seven days into their journey, they faced an unexpected crisis: they ran out of water. Trapped in a dry valley with no way forward or back, one king blamed God for their situation, while another asked a better question: "Is there a prophet of the Lord here?" Instead of looking for a quick solution, he sought a word from God.
That's often the difference between reacting in fear and responding in faith.
When we face uncertainty, our first instinct is usually to look for a quick fix. But while quick fixes provide temporary relief, only God's voice brings lasting peace, clarity, and direction. His Word sustains us when life doesn't make sense.
Pastor Christy spoke a deeply personal testimony of walking through an unexpected family crisis when months before difficult circumstances unfolded, God had given a single word: death. Though unsettling, it wasn't a message of fear but a reminder that God prepares His people for what lies ahead. As events unfolded—including a serious accident involving Pastor Curt and later even greater challenges—that earlier word, along with encouragement from trusted friends declaring God's strategy of life, became an anchor. God's voice didn't remove the trial, but it sustained faith through it.
The same is true for us. We may not receive all the answers we want, but God promises His presence and His guidance.
When the kings finally found the prophet Elisha, they expected an immediate miracle. Instead, God gave them an unusual instruction: "Dig this valley full of ditches." It seemed completely illogical. They were exhausted, dehydrated, and in desperate need of water—not more work.
Yet throughout Scripture, God often asks His people to obey before they understand. Noah built a boat before the rain came. Moses raised his staff before the sea parted. The blind man washed before he could see. Obedience has always preceded the miracle. Trust is developed not through explanations but through obedience.
The soldiers dug ditch after ditch, faithfully following God's instruction. By the end of the day, nothing had changed. The valley was still dry. There were no clouds, no wind, no signs that God was working. They simply went to bed with God's promise.
Many of us know what that feels like—We've prayed. We've obeyed. We've remained faithful. Yet we still don't see the answer.
But God had already told them they wouldn't see the wind or the rain—and yet the valley would be filled with water. Sometimes God is working in ways we cannot yet see. His promise is enough to sustain us until His timing brings the breakthrough.
2 Kings 3:18 says “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord”. God wants to remind us that what seems impossible for us, is easy for Him.
The next morning, during the time of the grain offering—a sacrifice of thanksgiving before the miracle had arrived—God suddenly filled the valley with water. Their obedience had prepared them to receive His provision. Even more, the water-filled ditches later confused the enemy and led to victory in battle. What seemed like unnecessary work became part of God's greater purpose.
Our obedience often accomplishes far more than we can imagine.
The challenge for each of us is simple: keep digging. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep obeying. Whether you're believing for healing, restoration, guidance, or breakthrough, don't quit simply because you can't yet see what God is doing.
God is still the Way Maker. He is still faithful to His promises. Even when the valley looks dry and the miracle hasn't arrived, He is working behind the scenes.
When we trust Him with all our hearts—even without understanding—we discover that His timing is perfect, His promises are sure, and His faithfulness never fails.
