But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5

On every piece of American currency today, there are these words: “In God We Trust.” We also see a drawing of one of our former presidents. These four words started to appear on two-cent pieces in 1864. It wasn’t until July 30, 1956, that the phrase became our national motto. The next year, it began to appear on dollar bills.

Citizens may wrongly put their trust in one of the figureheads instead of God. The psalmist says, “I put my trust in [God]” (Psalm 56:3b). Unfortunately, some Christians try to keep up with the Joneses. The money we have in our pockets or in a savings account is often tempting to spend on things that can’t help us forever. Psalm 20:7 says that some trust in chariots and horses, but the wise trust in the name of the LORD! Why? The verse above answers why: “my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

Ken Schilf
Fort Wayne, IN

Father, lead us not into temptation. Amen.

Reflect: Be a selective buyer. Consider wants versus needs.

Read: Joshua 1:9 and Proverbs 3:5-6