Listening and Trusting

Listening & Trusting

Proverbs 16:20

You don’t have to pay very close attention to hear bad news... criticism... hostility... or anger. We seem obsessed with it all. Such things spur conspiracy theories and drive network news ratings, no doubt. It seems “the bad” is in our face 24/7! And, it has AT LEAST contributed to the fact that we’ve become a people who battle depression... pop pills, and drink to excess.

Today, I want us to consider, that, maybe, just maybe, there’s a better way. I mean, could it be, as Christians... as followers of Christ... who is the “way, the truth, and the life” (a very positive affirmation, by the way) - could it be that just maybe, we should try focusing on the good?

Of course, with all the negativity about us, it can be hard to see the good, at times... But... the good is there. In fact it’s right in front of us.

Now listen to me: I don’t you to misunderstand: I’m not talking about “pie-in-the-sky”, pollyannaish optimism. Nor am I saying we should seek good, pleasant, or easy, things... while turning a blind eye to the bad. No... I’m talking about finding good in the deepest, most lasting and satisfying sense possible.

The Book of Proverbs (16:20, specifically) speaks to this plainly—and, if we’re honest, it’s a bit uncomfortable. Because it reminds us that true good and actual blessings are NOT found where we most often look.

Our Lesson says, “He who gives attention to the word will find good…”

That phrase “gives attention” carries the idea of careful, intentional listening. Paying attention. It reminds me of James 1:24, “whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom... will be blessed!” Give God’s Word your complete attention. Not just a passing glance. Not just a verse of the day skimmed in between notifications. Lean in, and grasp every word God has spoken.

Of course, we have to admit, that such attention does NOT come naturally. In fact, quite the opposite is true. By nature, we are dull to God’s Word. In our sinfulness, we prefer our own wisdom. We trust our instincts. And we lean towards selective listening... picking and choosing what we want to hear, and what we don’t want to hear concerning God’s Word.

But here’s the grace of it all (are you listening?): God speaks anyway. Our lack of attention never means that God isn’t speaking. His Word has not changed. It’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Thru scripture - God’s Word - the Bible - God reveals not just information... He reveals Himself! His character, His will, His promises, are all right here, on full display. And the proverb says: the one who attends to that Word, (in other words, the one who heeds the instruction of God’s Word) “will find good.”

Not “might find good.” Not “could possibly find good” - but “will find good.”

Of course, sometimes we tend to confuse easy with good. But “paying attention” to God’s Word doesn’t necessarily mean life becomes easy. It means life becomes anchored. There’s a goodness that cannot be shaken because it’s grounded in Truth, not in circumstance.

I mean, think about it: how many regrets in life can be traced back to ignoring what God has already said? How many heartaches could have been avoided, had we simply paid attention to God’s Word?

“He who gives attention to the word will find good!” But the proverb continues - “…and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

Notice the shift here: from listening (paying attention) to trusting (which is an act of doing).

The fact is, you and I can listen to God’s Word and still not trust what He says. We can know what He says and still stubbornly believe our way is better. That’s the tension of being human.

Trusting the Lord means more than agreeing with Him—it means resting in Him. Casting your weight on Him. Believing that His ways are not just right, but good for you.

This is where our theology presses in with clarity: because this kind of trust does not originate in us. It’s a gift of grace.

Our Faith is not something we’ve manufactured; it’s something God works in us. As John Calvin put it, the heart is an “idol factory.” Left to ourselves, we will trust anything but God.

So when you see real trust—steady, persevering, faithful trust—you’re witnessing the evidence of God’s work in the soul.

And the result? Blessings.

“Blessed is he who trusts…”

That word “blessed” has nothing to do with shallow happiness. It has nothing to do with how much money you have in the bank... or what kind of car you drive.

It’s a deep, settled state of favor with the One who loved you first and loves you most. It’s the kind of blessing that can exist even in hardship, anxiety, disappointment and grief, because it rests not on circumstances, but on the unchanging character of God.

The fact is: two halves of this verse belong together.

BECAUSE, you cannot truly trust God if you are not listening to His Word. And you cannot truly benefit from His Word if you are not trusting Him.

The Word reveals who God is. Trust responds to that revelation. And ultimately, both point us to Jesus.

Because the fullest expression of God’s Word is not just written—it’s alive! In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, we’re told that the Word became flesh. Hebrews 4:12, “The Word of God is active and alive!” Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the complete & perfect revelation of God.

He is the One who perfectly listened to the Father.

He is the One who completely trusted the Father.

And for all the ways you and I FAIL to listen and FAIL to trust, Christ has prevailed on our behalf!

More than that—He has died for our failures and risen to give us new hearts and lives that can finally hear and believe.

I wonder: Are you and I actually listening to God’s Word? Are we actually trusting the Lord?

Not in theory. Not in general terms. But in the concrete details of your life—our decisions, our worries, our plans, our hopes, our dreams. Are we trusting God through our circumstances? Through our questions and doubts, our ailments, our fears.

It’s easy to say we trust God until our comfort is threatened. It’s easy to say we value His Word until it contradicts our preferences, our pre-dispositions, or our politics.

Our Lesson today calls us to something deeper. Something real. God’s Word is not vague. It’s not hesitant. God is making a promise.

And because this promise rests on Him—not on your consistency, not on your strength—you can take hold of it even with weak hands. For even a trembling trust in a strong Savior is enough. Christ is always, enough.

“He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

For this is the Word of God for the People of God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.