Whom Can We Trust?

These were the words of George Washington after he found out Benedict Arnold's plans to hand over West Point to the British. "Whom can we trust?" This betrayal left Washington in a state of bewilderment, and with the uncomfortable thought that trust could be a luxury of the past. His men might even lose their trust in him, and how do you lead without trust? Moments like these can make or break a man. What do you do when you don't know whom you can trust?

Washington gave the answer in a letter he wrote. He said, "In no instance since the commencement of the war has the interposition of Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous than in the rescue of the post and garrison at West Point." Even in the time of tragedy he saw the hand of God, and learned the answer to the ever important question, "Whom can we trust?" We have an unchanging rock in our Almighty God that we can always trust, even in uncertain times.

I read something yesterday that questioned why it mattered to us today what George Washington thought. He lived and died over 200 years ago and times are different. The importance of George Washington to our present lives I believe is this, he was a man of character, a man of principle. While men like this will eventually die, they are important to give us insight into how God's ways really are the best, and when we live in accordance to them not only our life but so many others' lives are better for it. Times do change, but principles do not. We may not be able to change our current leaders' hearts to trust the Lord, but we can change our own, and hopefully leave a legacy that inspires others to do the same.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)