11th February 2026

The phrase ‘trust everyone but cut the cards’ has been around for a long time, possibly even since the 19th century. Who knows, there may have been some version of it as early as Cain and Abel. It probably began in a gambling situation but has evolved to apply to relationships and business dealings. Unfortunately, we must guard against those who want to cheat and defraud us. 

In a devotional, I came upon this statement: we can love Jesus but not really trust him. I had never heard that before and it took me aback. I suppose I had always thought that if I love him, I would automatically trust him, but maybe not. I found myself rethinking that assumption and wondering if my trust in Jesus is as strong as my love for him. As humans, it’s all too easy to fall back on ourselves when we feel God isn’t working fast enough or might not answer our prayers as we would like. We can become controlling or manipulative to try and make things work out our way, sometimes without even realising it. 

The Bible has much to say about trust, especially the psalms. One of my favourite verses is: ‘Let the dawning day bring me revelation of your tender, unfailing love. Give me light for my path, and teach me, for I trust in you’ (Psalm 143:8 TPT). Many of us find ourselves in situations where we might be tempted to take matters into our own hands, thinking (consciously or subconsciously) that we know better than God. It’s not pretty when we do that. 

I’ve chosen – or God chose for me – trust as my one word for the year, and Psalm 143:8 as my guiding verse. I hope to learn to trust more as the year unfolds and hope that my trust in Jesus will catch up to my love for him. There’s no need to cut the cards when we put our trust in him alone. 

A slightly amended study that was first published on 20 January 2026, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com a personal blog which is not sponsored by Grace Communion International.

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