Psalm 13:5 (ESV) – But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Every time I jumped out of an airplane while in the Army, I was trusting in the parachute to do its job. One time I was the first jumper out of the plane, which meant I got to stand at the doorway of the plane as we approached the drop zone. I loved it. My excitement level rose as I anticipated the green light and command to jump. My excitement was not because I lacked the self-awareness that there were dangers in jumping, but my confidence stemmed in the trust I had in my equipment to do its job. 

Our passage today touches on a similar reality in our walk with God. We will each go through our share of difficulties. Some people will have hardships that surpass other people’s. But the ultimate difference between those who have peace and joy is whether they trust in God or struggle to trust in God. We read in Psalm 13:5, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

The psalmist says, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love.” The “your” is God. It is God’s love for His people that steadies the heart of the psalmist. He trusts in that truth. What is the alternative? To not trust. To despair. To doubt God’s love for you and let your heart worry continuously over every possible problem you have or could have. Trust manifests itself as we come to know God’s character. The attributes of God assure us of who He is. When we recognize that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then we no longer concern ourselves with God not being to us who He promises to be. 

There are going to be things that happen today that require you to trust God’s love for you. The challenges we face each day continuously put us in positions to either trust God’s love for us or fret about every circumstance. The life of faith is not one where we never have another problem, but it is one where we trust God through our problems. We know that if God permits a trial or affliction that He has purposes for it. He is not arbitrary or cruel. He loves us. We can trust in that love.

The result of trusting in God’s steadfast love for us is that we can rejoice in the salvation He brought to us. He saved us. If He did not spare His only Son, but gave Him up on the cross for our sins, how could we doubt His steadfast love?

The cross reminds us of the love of God. It is real. Let’s trust that love for us today and rejoice in the God who made us His own. 

Tweet This!

Reflection & Journal: 
- Why does the psalmist trust in God’s steadfast love? What is his reasoning?
- What are the reasons we often struggle to trust God’s love?
- How does this passage speak to the things we face and struggle with in our own lives?

We make these devotions freely available to thousands of readers daily. If you’d like to help support the ministry, please click here to learn more.

Sign up to receive our daily devotions in your inbox here!