Who Ever Trusted the Lord?

While opening my Bible to continue reading Ezekiel, I happened to open to Sirach 2 and felt compelled to read it. It gives a very brief overview of how one should behave towards God. In fact, in my Bible (RSV) the title of this section is “Duties towards God”.

The opening verse was interesting;

My son, if you come forward to serve the lord, remain in justice and in fear and prepare yourself for temptation

Sirach 2:1

that one verse offers both advice and warning. If you serve the Lord, you must be prepared for trials and testing, it also tells us how one must behave when facing trials,

Accept whatever is brought upon you, and endure it in sorrow; in changes that humble you be patient.

Sirach 2:4

even James has said on trials,

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

James 1:2-4

We can face trials with hope because God uses them to strengthen our faith and produce steadfastness. This notion of being steadfast is also present in Sirach’s earlier verses,

Set your heart right and be steadfast, include your ear, and receive words of understanding, and do not be hasty in time of calamity.

Sirach 2:2

this reminded me of what my priest had mentioned about Walking at God’s pace, the notion of being steadfast is an interesting one - it tells us to be firm, patient, enduring and consistent. The verse also tells us to not be hasty.

Although how can we face trials? Some can be too great for us - but we are not left to face them alone, for we have a merciful God who cares for us and gives us strength in times of need.

Consider the ancient generations and see: who ever trusted the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever persevered in his commandments and was forsaken? Or who ever called upon him and was overlooked?

Sirach 2:10

This passage reminded me of Polycarp’s answer when threatened with death,

(…) then pressed him, stating, “Swear, and I’ll release you, denounce Christ”; Polycarp declared, “Eighty-six years I’ve served Him, and He never wronged me: how can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” - Martyrdom of Polycarp 9

Martyrdom of Polycarp 9

Polycarp’s answer feels like a living example of Sirach’s words. After decades of following Christ, he could look back on his life and confidently say that the Lord had never forsaken him.

The Scriptures say it plainly, but we must remember that one must walk at God’s pace. How often do we face a trial no matter how small or great and we pray over it and expect that in the next 5 minutes or the next day to be resolved and the trial has passed from us?

Sometimes we must walk through those trials, and God can use them to shape us in ways we may not immediately understand. Even Christ Himself experienced this reality when the hour of His suffering drew near,

My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will

Matthew 26:39

even then, Jesus gave us the example we must follow. We are encouraged to bring our requests before God, but ultimately to trust His will above our own. The trials facing Jesus were great, yet He entrusted Himself to the Father’s will.

I cannot imagine the weight of what lay before Him, yet even in that moment Christ entrusted Himself to the Father’s will. In doing so, He gave us the perfect example of faithfulness in the midst of suffering.

For the Lord is compassionate and merciful; he forgives sins and saves in time of affliction, and he is the shield of all who seek him in truth.

Sirach 2:11

James echoes this same truth when he writes,

Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful

James 5:11

Sirach reminds us that serving God does not exempt us from trials; in many ways it prepares us for them. Yet Scripture repeatedly points us to the same truth; remain steadfast, trust the Lord, and do not be hasty when difficulties come. Whether through the wisdom of Sirach, the encouragement of James, the example of Polycarp, or Christ Himself in Gethsemane, we are reminded that faithfulness is not measured by the absence of suffering but by our willingness to continue trusting God through it.