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Trusting God’s Promises

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Throughout his time of hiding, Elijah looked past his circumstances to God’s faithful provision. Elijah’s faith was securely rooted in his trust in God’s promises. But many of us focus more on our troubles than we do on the God who can deliver us. When we face great obstacles, do we forget that God is our great provider? When we face scarcity, do we forget the times that God has provided for us in the past? When we stumble, why do we forget that God is always there to pick us up?

Many of us are willing to take risks in our business deals or in extreme sports, but few of us are spiritual risk-takers. Few of us are willing to place our total trust in God’s promises instead of our own plans.

God wants to see unwavering faith and complete trust in Him. No matter what our circumstances, God will use us if we are willing to follow Him and to step out in faith. When we recognize that we are nothing and God is everything, God moves to act through us. We are little, but God can do much through us.

The question is not whether God is faithful. He has already proven Himself faithful. The question is whether we will trust Him when we cannot see what He is doing. Faith does not rest on what we can see, but on the character and promises of God. When God leads you into an unfamiliar place, do not run ahead of Him or retreat in fear. Obey Him one step at a time. Your limitations do not limit His power. Your weakness does not weaken His purposes. As you trust Him, He will teach you to depend upon Him more completely and will use even difficult circumstances to strengthen your faith and prepare you for good work for His name.

Prayer: God, forgive me for not placing my total trust in Your promises. Help me to trust that You are greater than any obstacle I may face today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon How God Works, God’s Hiding Place: LISTEN NOW

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关于作者

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.