What does the Bible teach about trust in God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Trusting God is contrary to our human nature, yet in Scripture we are told to trust in Him with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5-7). Through doing so, we can experience peace (Isaiah 26:3-4), and understand that because God’s ways are higher than our ways; He knows best (Isaiah 55:8-9). Trusting God during trials can be especially hard, but it can help to know that suffering contributes to our spiritual growth (Romans 5:3-6). Although it can be difficult to let go of self-reliance and trust God fully, Romans 7:18-21 helps us recognize our desperate need for Him; it highlights that there is nothing good in us apart from Him. God grants us the faith to trust iin Him (Ephesians 2:8-9), and while faith is not quite the same as trust, trust is a natural consequence of faith (Hebrews 11:1). Ultimately, we can trust that no matter our circumstances, “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs 3:5-7 says, "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 straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” Trusting God involves giving Him all of our heart and putting away self-reliance and pride.
• When we trust God, we also trust the outcomes we experience with Him. Isaiah 26:3-4 says, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock."
• We know that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and we eagerly trust and follow Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Trusting God during trials is often difficult, but we can know that when we lean on Him during such times He can spiritually grow us in our faith walk. Romans 5:3-6 says: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
• We know, more than anyone, that we are not trustworthy. We break promises and often don’t fulfill our intentions. We identify with Paul when he writes, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand" (Romans 7:18-21).
• Our trust in God is well-founded. For example, we learn of His character through His Word (the Bible). Scripture shows His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. We've seen God's goodness in our own lives and the lives of others. Since we know His character, we trust that He works for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28-39).
• God grants us the faith to trust in Him regardless of our circumstances (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It is because of our faith in God that we trust Him.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Throughout Scriptures, we read about people who trusted in God. Rahab (a foreigner) believed what she heard about God and because of His reputation, trusted in Him (Joshua 2). David trusted in God as he was pursued by Saul and other enemies (Psalm 18). Jesus commended a Roman Centurion for his complete confidence that Jesus could heal his servant without ever setting foot in his house (Matthew 8:5-13). As God’s children, we trust in God and His Word (Psalm 93:5; 111:7; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) as well as His nature (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 25:10; 145:13; 146:6). As such, we can also trust His plans for us (Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28-29; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6).

Ultimately, because of God’s unshakeable, unfailing, eternal love for His children, we can put our trust in Him: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

UNDERSTAND

• We should trust in God rather than our own understanding.
• Trusting God may seem harder during trials, but it helps to remember that difficulties can contribute to spiritual growth.
• Regular Bible reading can build our trust in God because it reveals His character and His faithfulness throughout history.

REFLECT

• In what sorts of circumstances do you find that you have the most difficulty trusting in God?
• What spiritual growth have you noticed when you’ve trusted in God through trials in your life?
• How has reading God’s Word helped you to put more trust in Him?

ENGAGE

• What are some challenges in witnessing about Jesus to a culture that values self-reliance?
• In telling others about God, how can believers best emphasize His faithfulness toward His children?
• How can believers encourage each other to trust the Lord?