When Earthly Trust Crumbles, Heaven Holds

Trust is the glue that binds societies and civilizations together. Yet today, that trust is eroding—threatening the very fabric of our communities. In the midst of uncertainty, there is hope: trust in God. He remains steadfast and true, a foundation we can rely on.

1. When Earthly Trust Crumbles, Heaven Holds 1

2. Introduction: an illustration of Trust A group of botanists exploring the remote Alps spotted a rare and beautiful Edelweis growing deep in a ravine. Its scientific value was immense, but the only way to retrieve it was to be lowered over the cliff on a rope. Nearby, a curious young boy watched the scene unfold. The scientists asked if he would be willing to go down and retrieve the flower, offering him a generous reward. The boy looked down into the dizzying depths, paused, and said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” He returned shortly, accompanied by a gray-haired man. Approaching the botanists, the boy said, “I’ll go over that cliff and get that flower for you—if this man holds the rope. He’s my dad.” 2

3. When Trust Becomes Dangerous I lived as a child in Nazi Austria. Trust was not only fragile—it was dangerous. We children were taught to report our own parents if they spoke against the regime, and they, in turn, warned us never to repeat anything we heard at home. The state infiltrated our family bonds, turning loyalty into suspicion and love into liability. We watched our neighbors—Slovenes who quietly opposed Hitler—not with empathy, but with the trained eyes of a child conscripted into surveillance. Trusting no one became a survival instinct. But the cost was steep: isolation, fear, and the erosion of our humanity. When every word could be fatal and every relationship a trap, the soul of a society begins to rot from within.

4. The Cost of a Society Without Trust Isolation When every word could be fatal, people withdrew into themselves, afraid to connect authentically with others. Fear Constant surveillance turned neighbors into potential informants, making fear the default emotion. Lost Humanity When every relationship became a trap, the soul of society began to rot from within.

5. Trust in Everyday Life Every day, you take a chance and trust people. You exhibit trust when you get in your car and drive, believing the engineers made it safe and dependable. You trust your doctors, especially when their opinions align. You have trusted friends and schools to care for your children. Either actively or passively, you place your trust in those around you. But have you ever stopped to wonder: Why is trust so essential to our existence?

6. Trust is the glue that holds society together

7. There are just a few elemental forces that hold our world together. The one that’s the glue of society is called trust. Its presence cements relationships by allowing people to live and work together, feel safe and belong to a group. Trust in a leader allows organizations and communities to flourish. When trust is absent, fear and suspicion take its place. Relationships become fragile, institutions lose legitimacy, and society grows divided. People withdraw, protect themselves, and avoid collaboration, which leads to dysfunction, stagnation, fragmentation, conflict and even war. Without trust, the social fabric frays—making it harder to solve problems, heal wounds, or move forward together. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dennisjaffe/2018/12/05/the-essential-importance-of-trust-how-to-build-it-or-restore-it/ Why is “Trust” so important? It is The Glue of Society In more ways than one, social trust, seems to have an important bearing on social and political stability. Ken Newton and Sonja Zmerli “Three forms of trust and their association” (2011) 7

8. What Trust Makes Possible Strong Relationships Trust allows people to live and work together, creating bonds that withstand the tests of time. Sense of Safety When we trust, we feel secure enough to be vulnerable, to take risks, and to truly belong. Flourishing Communities Trust in leaders allows organizations and communities to thrive and accomplish great things together.

9. When Trust is Absent The Consequences Fear and suspicion take root Relationships become fragile Institutions lose legitimacy Society grows divided People withdraw and protect themselves Collaboration becomes impossible Without trust, the social fabric frays—making it harder to solve problems, heal wounds, or move forward together. Dysfunction, stagnation, fragmentation, and even conflict become inevitable.

10. Trust is Fraying Today With trust so vitally important—the force that made civilizations possible—we must be aware of a troubling reality: trust is fraying in the United States and around the world today. The glue no longer holds as firmly as it once did.

11. There are just a few elemental forces that hold our world together. The one that’s the glue of society is called trust. Its presence cements relationships by allowing people to live and work together, feel safe and belong to a group. Trust in a leader allows organizations and communities to flourish. When trust is absent, fear and suspicion take its place. Relationships become fragile, institutions lose legitimacy, and society grows divided. People withdraw, protect themselves, and avoid collaboration, which leads to dysfunction, stagnation, fragmentation, conflict and even war. Without trust, the social fabric frays—making it harder to solve problems, heal wounds, or move forward together. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dennisjaffe/2018/12/05/the-essential-importance-of-trust-how-to-build-it-or-restore-it/ Why is “Trust” so important? It is The Glue of Society In more ways than one, social trust, seems to have an important bearing on social and political stability. Ken Newton and Sonja Zmerli “Three forms of trust and their association” (2011) 11

12. The Sharp Decline of Trust Trust in Government Trust in Media Trust in Institutions The 21st century has witnessed a dramatic erosion of trust across all major institutions, leaving society more fragmented and uncertain than ever before.

13. The Sharp Decline of Trust in the 21st Century Trust Between Us 13

14. Porcentaje de personas que están de acuerdo con la afirmación: “la mayoría de la gente puede ser confiable”. 2022 14

15. US 37% Trust Between Us 15

16. Trust Between Us 16

17. 16% don’t Trust 17

18. The United States is identified as one of the countries with the sharpest declines in trust in representative institutions, particularly in political parties and parliament A Crisis of Political Trust? Global Trends in Institutional Trust from 1958 to 2019” Trends in Public Trust Toward Government and Bureaucracy 18

19. 19

20. Not Much Trust none 20

21. In a World of Growing Distrust How do we navigate a world where trust is scarce? How do we rebuild what has been broken? Perhaps the answer lies not in the institutions around us, but in something—or Someone—far more reliable.

22. In a World of Growing Distrust: Seeing Trust Through the Lens of Scripture The term ‘Trust’ occurs 82 times in the Bible https://www.jesus-everyday.com/concordance-trust-trusted-trusts/ 22

23. Biblical Characters Who Struggled with Trust The Bible doesn't hide the reality that even great men and women of faith wrestled with trust. Their struggles mirror our own, reminding us that doubt is part of the human journey.

24. Eve and Adam: The First Breach The Temptation They doubted God's goodness and His warning about the forbidden fruit, choosing instead to trust the serpent's lie. The Result Their lack of trust in God's wisdom brought sin and separation into the world, fracturing the perfect trust between Creator and creation.

25. When Trust Faltered Sarah's Laughter Genesis 18:12 — She doubted she could bear a child in her old age and laughed at God's promise, later denying her disbelief. Moses' Reluctance Exodus 4:10 — He doubted his ability to lead and speak, pleading with God to "send someone else" despite divine calling. Elijah's Despair 1 Kings 19:4 — Fleeing from Jezebel, he asked God to take his life, feeling he had failed and was no better than his ancestors.

26. More Who Doubted Peter's Denial Matthew 26:69-75 — Despite his confidence, he denied knowing Jesus three times before the resurrection, shattering his own expectations of loyalty. King Saul's Impatience 1 Samuel 15:1-23 — He disobeyed God's command to wait for Samuel, offering sacrifices himself rather than trusting God's timing.

27. Even the Greatest Struggled King Solomon Despite wisdom and wealth, he married foreign women who led him to worship other gods, dividing his kingdom. King David He counted his armies instead of trusting God during battle, showing incomplete faith in divine protection. Moses (Again) He struck the rock in disobedience instead of speaking to it, costing him entry to the Promised Land.

28. Doubt in Unlikely Places Thomas Known as "Doubting Thomas," he refused to believe in Jesus' resurrection until he could see the nail marks and touch His wounds with his own hands. Gideon He tested God twice by asking for signs and miracles with a fleece, needing repeated proof of God's reliability before moving forward in faith. John Mark He abandoned Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey, allowing fear to overcome his commitment to the mission.

29. But Scripture also shows us another way

30. Bible Characters Who Trusted God No Matter What These men and women faced impossible circumstances, yet their faith never wavered. Their stories teach us that radical trust in God is possible—even in our darkest moments.

31. Abraham: The Father of Faith Genesis 12:1-4 — "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him..." Genesis 22:8 — "God himself will provide the lamb..." Abraham left his homeland without knowing his destination. Later, he was willing to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, trusting that God would provide. His faith became the foundation for generations to come.

32. Unwavering Trust in Action Noah Genesis 6:22 — Built the ark despite no sign of rain, doing everything just as God commanded. Joseph Genesis 50:20 — Trusted through betrayal, slavery, and prison: "You intended harm, but God intended good." Moses Exodus 14:13-14 — Led Israel from Egypt: "Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring."

33. Courage in the Face of Death David vs. Goliath 1 Samuel 17:45 — "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty." A shepherd boy faced a giant with nothing but trust in God. Daniel in the Lions' Den Daniel 6:23 — "No wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Faith protected him from certain death. Esther's Sacrifice Esther 4:16 — "If I perish, I perish." She risked her life to save her people, trusting God's greater plan.

34. Trust Through Unimaginable Suffering Job's Declaration Job 13:15 — "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him..." Job lost his children, his wealth, and his health. His friends accused him, his wife told him to curse God and die. Yet in the depths of unimaginable agony, Job clung to trust. His story reminds us that faith isn't the absence of suffering—it's the presence of hope within it.

35. Faith Tested by Fire Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel 3:17-18 — "Even if he does not save us, we will not serve your gods..." Facing the fiery furnace, these three young men made a stunning declaration: they would trust God whether He rescued them or not. Their faith wasn't conditional on deliverance—it was absolute regardless of outcome.

36. New Testament Trust Mary, Mother of Jesus Luke 1:38 — "I am the Lord's servant... May your word to me be fulfilled." She accepted God's plan despite enormous social risk. Paul the Apostle 2 Corinthians 12:10 — "For when I am weak, then I am strong." He endured persecution, shipwrecks, and imprisonment, yet declared victory through trust.

37. The Importance of Trusting God 01 Trust Brings Peace Philippians 4:7 — When we trust God, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing He is in control. 02 Trust Leads to Blessings Jeremiah 17:7 — Those who trust in God are blessed with spiritual riches: joy, peace, contentment, and purpose.

38. How to Trust God with All Your Heart Surrender All to God Proverbs 3:5-6 — Trusting with all your heart means surrendering everything: fears, dreams, plans, desires. Let go and let God take control. Seek God in Prayer Philippians 4:6-7 — Prayer builds trust. Express your fears and doubts to God, and He gives peace and guidance in return. Meditate on God's Word Psalm 119:15 — The more we know about God through Scripture, the more we can trust Him. His Word reveals His character and promises.

39. The Challenges of Trusting God Doubt and Fear 2 Timothy 1:7 — These are the biggest obstacles to trust. But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Impatience Ecclesiastes 3:11 — We struggle when God's timing differs from ours. But He makes everything beautiful in its time—His timing is perfect.

40. Trusting God in Difficult Times In the Midst of Trials Psalm 46:1 — Even in trials and tribulations, trust that God is with you and will see you through. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. In the Face of Uncertainty Jeremiah 29:11 — When the future is unclear, trust that God knows the end from the beginning. He has plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

41. The Rope That Never Fails Remember the boy on the cliff? He was willing to risk everything—as long as his father held the rope. That boy understood something profound: the trustworthiness of the person holding the rope determines whether you take the risk. We face our own cliffs every day. Uncertain futures. Impossible circumstances. Overwhelming fears. The question isn't whether we'll face them—it's whose hands hold the rope.

42. A Call to Trust In a world where trust is fraying, where institutions crumble and relationships fracture, we have an anchor that cannot fail. Not because we are strong, but because God is faithful. The biblical characters who struggled with trust teach us that doubt is human. But those who trusted despite impossible odds show us something greater: that God is worthy of our trust, not because our circumstances are comfortable, but because His character is unchanging.

43. "I'll go over that cliff—if He holds the rope." Will you trust Him today? Will you surrender your fears, your plans, your very life into the hands of the One who has never failed and never will? The rope is secure. Your Father is holding it. Let us trust God with all our hearts.