How can I have bitachon that Hashem will help me when I may not be worthy. Perhaps I deserve whatever trouble I am experiencing?
Answer: (Mishlei 29:25) One who trusts in Hashem will triumph over his troubles in the merit of his trusting Hashem, even when he deserves the trouble that has befallen him…. And Dovid HaMelech said: It is better for one to take shelter in Hashem then trust in man. This means: It is better that one takes cover under the shelter of Hashem, even with no assurance of Hashem’s protection, than to trust in man, even when promised his protection, for one cannot be sure of man’s ability for he is controlled by outside forces and may be unable to fulfill his promise. So bitachon means that one’s heart is firm in his bitachon as if he Hashem had actually promised to save him. (Rabbeinu Bachaya, Kad HaKemach)
However, how can Rabbeinu Bachaya state that the merit of having bitachon itself is enough to merit Hashem’s salvation in any given situation when there are so many different levels of merit that may be needed in each situation? One may be righteous and have bitachon for something small, therefore needing a small merit while another may be spiritually lacking and have bitachon for something miraculous thereby needing great merit?
The answer is that in truth there is no greater merit than having bitachon. Just as the more merit you need, the harder it is to have bitachon, so to the more merit you will receive by overcoming that hurdle and solidifying your bitachon.
Other parts to this series: Inspiration in Bitachon
