One cannot live his life with joy and success without trust in others. On the other hand, many who have trusted other people have experienced grievous disappointment. The problem is not with the trusting but with the object of the trust. “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord” (Jer. 17:5). The more people's hearts depart from the LORD, the more they trust in man. Having departed from the LORD, this generation now trusts in government, political leaders, the news media, education, modern medicine, scientific theories, financial institutions, etc, none of which is worthy of absolute trust.

In contrast, Jehovah says, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is” (Jer. 17:7). One who trusts the Lord is blessed or happy because his faith is not misplaced. The LORD keeps all of His promises, but men make vows they cannot or will not keep. Trusting the LORD is actually taking Him at His Word. Since He has magnified His Word above all His name (Ps. 138:2), the LORD can be trusted absolutely. To take the LORD at His Word, one must know His written Word, for only therein are His promises found.

Notwithstanding the fact that the man who trusts the LORD is blessed while the one who trusts man is cursed, people are constantly admonished to trust in men, their agencies and institutions. To trust in men is considered intelligent and wise; to trust in the LORD is thought to be credulous and naïve. Never, however, have societies' problems been greater than they are today! The solutions proposed by men do not solve the difficulties; they make them worse. Would it not be wise, then, for all people to trust Almighty God and His Word rather than finite man?