"When Human Trust Fails: Discovering God's Unwavering Faithfulness"

There was a popular TV show preview I remember from years ago, produced by Wap Production. The scene that stuck with me began on a rooftop, where a young boy stood, fidgeting and anxiously eyeing the ground below. His father, standing beside him, urged him to jump, promising to catch him. Despite his fear, the boy hesitated, aware of the dangerous distance between the rooftop and the ground. The father’s insistence grew, and with arms outstretched, he seemed determined to fulfill his promise.

Trusting his father, the boy finally leapt—not because he was convinced, but because he believed that no harm would come to him with his father there to protect him. But as he descended, his father stepped back, withdrawing the support he had promised. The boy hit the ground hard, injuring his legs. As the boy lay there, hurt and confused, his father approached and said, "Do not trust anybody, not even me, your father."

For a long time, that scene shaped my understanding of trust. It made me wary, teaching me that trusting others could lead to betrayal or disappointment—just as it did for the boy in the TV show. The father’s actions seemed to affirm that trust, particularly in human relationships, is fragile and easily broken.

But over time, my perspective began to shift. I realized that while trust in people can indeed be vulnerable to hurt, there is a trust that stands apart—trust in a supreme being, in the Almighty God.

To trust means to place confidence in or rely on someone or something. It involves hope, often directed towards the future. The father in the TV show was right in one sense: human trust can be unreliable. However, I’ve come to see that while human trust may falter, the trust we place in God is different. Unlike humans, whose intentions can waver, God’s character is steadfast and His promises unwavering.

The irony is striking: the same trust that can lead to pain and betrayal in human relationships is the trust required to receive God’s promises. This contrast highlights the complexity of trust. With people, trust can be inconsistent and vulnerable to disappointment. But with God, trust is a pathway to experiencing His faithfulness and goodness.

This understanding is echoed in the book of Hebrews 10:21, which challenges us: "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise" (NIV).

Trust in God involves surrendering control and embracing uncertainty. It means believing in His goodness and sovereignty, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear. While human relationships may disappoint, God’s unchanging nature offers a foundation for trust that is secure and everlasting.