You may have heard that God can be trusted but wondered if it is true, and if so, how to trust in God. These are the questions that we will answer in this post.

Introduction to God

Who is God? God is a Family of three divine Persons, namely, the Father, the Son called Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This Family is known as “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) in the Bible.

For those who are new to Bible notation, “Acts 17:29,” for example, is a reference to the Bible, which is a collection of books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation referred to as “Acts 17:29” is taken from the book of Acts in the Bible, the 17^th chapter, and the 29^th verse.

Now, the members of the Godhead operate as one single Family unit, and so we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32. They never contradict each other at any time.

What is the Meaning of Trust in God?

In considering the meaning of trust in God, we will look at our Bible verse of focus: “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.” Psalm 84:3.

Here we find the birds without care or worry, having a happy life and, figuratively, freely coming to the altars of God which is the place where God is worshipped, to make their home there undisturbed.

What does this mean for us? It means that we too can live a happy life, without any care or worry, while freely worshipping God. This is the definition of trust in God.

Can God be Trusted?

Before we put our trust in God, it is fair to ask, Can God be trusted? God Himself answers this question.

Speaking of Himself, God says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and “I change not.” Malachi 3:6. I am “God, that cannot lie.” Titus 1:2.

Moreover, God says, “Behold the fowls [birds] of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye [humanity] not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26.

Thus, God says that He cares for humanity and that He is a faithful Provider of all their needs. More than that God says, “Yea, I have loved thee [humanity] with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3.

In view of all this then we can say that God can indeed be trusted.

Why Do We Trust in God?

So far, we have seen two reasons to trust in God—God loves us and He is a faithful Provider. But are these the only reasons to trust in God? The answer is, No. In fact, there are many reasons to trust in God.  

One reason is that “God [is] the LORD [Supreme Ruler], he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit [mind] to them that walk therein.” Isaiah 42:5. So, God is “the Creator” (Isaiah 40:28) of the human race.

Also, God says, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh [all humanity]: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27. The answer is that we can rest assured that “with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:7. In other words, God is all-powerful.

More than this God is humanity’s “Saviour.” Isaiah 43:3. That is, God is the One who is able to grant eternal life to every human being and so save all humanity from eternal death (annihilation).

Why is humanity destined for eternal death (annihilation)? Because “the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19) which wickedness is called sin and “the wages of sin is [eternal] death (annihilation).” Romans 6:23.

Human beings are evil because they have inherited the disposition to sin from the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve.

This human pair was created perfect and holy by God, but they fell into sin when they were tempted to sin by an angel named Satan. This angel, Satan, had been cast out of heaven with his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) when they rebelled against God.

So, in order to rescue humanity from eternal death (annihilation), God has put into action His plan of salvation of the human race from eternal death to give instead, eternal life to every human being.

In light of all this, “he [God] hath abounded toward us [humanity] in all wisdom and prudence.” Ephesians 1:8.

These then are some of the many reasons to trust in God.

What are the Blessings of Trusting in God?

God says that every individual can confidently ask, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. For “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose [of granting eternal life to humanity].” Romans 8:28.

Who are “the called” (Romans 8:28)? Well, “many [all humanity] are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14. Those chosen by God to receive eternal life from Him are they who have repented of (had deep sorrow for) their sins, believed in God’s promises to humanity, and learned to resist all temptations to sin. For repentance and faith causes the individual to be forgiven of their sins and cleansed from their sins through the gift of love received from God. This is known as “justification.” Romans 4:25. Immediately upon justification, begins the lifelong process of “sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1:30) whereby God tests their character to see if they will resist all temptations to sin. If so, they become sanctified and, therefore, receive everlasting life from God.

Thus, God says to all humanity, “Trust ye in the LORD [God] for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting [moral] strength [to resist sin].” Isaiah 26:4.

“Thou [God] wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on [takes hold of] thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3.

“Great peace have they which love thy [God’s] law [of love]: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165.

These then are some of the blessings of trusting in God.

How Do I Start to Trust in God?

So far we have now seen that God can be trusted, that there are reasons to trusted God, and blessings when we trust in God. The question now is, How do I start to trust in God?

Surrender and Trust in God

Well, God says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you [eternal] life and [eternal] death [which is annihilation], blessing and cursing: therefore choose [eternal] life, that…thou…may live [eternally].” Deuteronomy 30:19. So, trust in God is, first of all, a choice that we make.

The next step is as God says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil [Satan]” (James 4:7), “the tempter” (Matthew 4:3), “and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. This is a call to yield to the Holy Spirit so that we submit our will to God’s will and His ways of love or, in other words, we surrender our lives to God’s will.

That is, say wholeheartedly and with all sincerity to God, “Into thine [God’s] hand I commit my spirit [mind]: thou hast redeemed me [bought me back from Satan’s tyranny], O LORD God of truth.” Psalm 31:5.

These then are the first steps to trusting in God. When we do these things, we show that we have “repentance” (Matthew 3:8) which is deep sorrow for our sins.

The Gift of Faith and Trust in God

Now “God hath dealt to every man [every person] the [full] measure of faith [in God’s promises].” Romans 12:3.

 For “this is the work of God, that ye believe on him [Christ] whom he [the Father] hath sent [into the world as a baby boy named Jesus to save humanity from their sins].” John 6:29. This is the gift of faith from God. Now everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

But this does not mean that every human being has full faith in God and His promises. In fact, faith is ours to exercise. For “without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Instantaneously then, at the very moment when we exercise faith in God, “the love of God is [supernaturally] shed abroad [poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. This “justification” (Romans 4:25) means that we have been declared righteous by God and, hence, God says that such an individual “is passed from [eternal] death [which is annihilation] unto [eternal] life.” John 5:24.

Faith exercised in God then is the crowning step which causes us to receive the gift of love from God and this love leads us to put our trust in God and “go on unto perfection.” Hebrews 6:1.

Now, we only become perfect in love and have complete trust in God when we have gone through the lifelong process of sanctification by which we are “sanctified by faith.” Acts 26:18. And the sanctified, those who have overcome all temptations to sin, receive eternal life from God.

Prayer and Trust in God

God says to every person, “Trust in him [God] at all times; ye people, pour out your heart [in prayer] before him [God]: God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication [earnest plea] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7.

So God says, “it shall come to pass, that before they call [pray], I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.

Prayer then, which is a two-way communication with God, is essential to trust in God.

The Bible and Trust in God

God says that every human being can say of themselves in truth, “Thy word [the Bible] is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105.

“The entrance of thy words [the Bible] giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple [the naïve and gullible].” Psalm 119:130.

For “the holy scriptures [the Bible]…are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

“That we henceforth [from this time forward] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine [teaching], by the sleight [subterfuge] of men, and cunning craftiness [trickery], whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:14.

Thus, “as for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD [the Bible] is tried: he is a buckler [shield] to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30.

An understanding of the Bible then as God intended it to be understood will be a shield for those who trust in God against deception which always leads away from God and, hence, leads to eternal death (annihilation).

How can you gain a correct understanding of the Bible? By sincere prayer to God for help to understand it and obedience to the word of God, the Bible.

Trust in God and His Teachings

God says that every human being should be able to say of themselves in truth, “Blessed be the LORD [God] my [moral] strength, which teacheth my hands to [figuratively] war, and my fingers to [figuratively] fight [against Satan and his temptations to sin]: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer [from sin]; my shield, and he [God] in whom I trust.” Psalm 144:1, 2.

For God says, “They shall be all taught of God” (John 6:45) who shall be saved from eternal death (annihilation) and instead receive eternal life from God.

We see then that trust in God and His teachings is essential if we are to resist sin and so be saved.

Trust in God and His Leading

“Thus saith the LORD [God], thy Redeemer [from the tyranny of Satan], the Holy One…I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit [to do good], which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isaiah 48:17.

Therefore, God says to all humanity, “Trust in the LORD [God] with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him [God], and he [God] shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6.

“For as many as are led by the [Holy] Spirit of God, they are the sons [and daughters] of God” (Romans 8:14) who will receive eternal life from God.

So then, we see that we are to allow God to lead us in our lives if we would be saved from eternal death (annihilation).

How to Trust God in All Circumstances

Trust in God should not be an off and on aspect of our lives. Instead, we should trust God in all circumstances. How? We will consider how to trust God in three key areas of our lives.

Money and Trust in God

As it happened, “Jesus [Christ] sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites [two small coins], which make a farthing [penny].” Mark 12:41, 42.

“And he [Christ] called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily [surely] I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want [poverty] did cast in all that she had, even all her living [all her livelihood].” Mark 12:43, 44.

Why did the poor widow give all that she had to the cause of God on earth? Because she trusted in God and could say of herself in truth that “my God shall supply all your [humanity’s] need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

This is an example of trust in God as it relates to money and it should be followed by all who desire to receive eternal life from God. That is, any excess of money above that required for our needs is to be spent on furthering the cause of God on earth which is the saving of humanity from eternal death (annihilation).

Tribulations and Trust in God

God speaks to those “who are kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:5) and, who therefore, have a “heart [that] is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” Psalm 112:7.

To such people, God says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial [from Satan] which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings [while He was on earth]; that, when his glory shall be revealed [at His second coming to the earth], ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12, 13.

For we may certainly know and trust that “God is our refuge and [moral] strength [against temptations to sin], a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

So, Christ says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome [the sins of] the world.” John 16:33.

“To him that overcometh [sin] will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Revelation 3:21. For “because I live [eternally], ye shall live [eternally] also.” John 14:19.

So, trust in God is essential to success in overcoming the tribulations that may come upon us and we have such trust when we are “kept by the power of God through faith.” 1 Peter 1:5.

Death and Trust in God

God says that every human being should be able to say of themselves in truth, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [God] art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

Thus, God likens His ever-present care and love for humanity to that of a shepherd for his sheep.

For Christ says to all humanity, “I am the resurrection [the raising from the dead to life again], and the [eternal] life: he that believeth in me [trusts in my power to save them from their sins], though he were dead, yet shall he live [eternally]: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me [trusts in my power to save them from their sins] shall never die.” John 11:25, 26.

So then, even in the face of death and knowing that if we are sanctified, we shall be resurrected to eternal life, we can hold tight our trust in God.

Why Do We Struggle to Trust in God?

You may ask, Why do we struggle to trust in God? The answer, God says is that there are some people who “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

Therefore, these people are as “a double minded man [who] is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8. “For he that wavereth [in trusting God] is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” James 1:6.

That is, only those who have received the gift of love from God by being justified by faith can truly trust in God. This then is the reason why people struggle to trust in God.

Conclusion

We considered the birds who live a happy life without care or worry and we have seen that we too can have just such a life when we trust in God.

Also, we have considered the key question, How to trust in God? In essence, our ability to truly trust in God depends on our being justified by faith and, hence, receiving the gift of love from God.

Moreover, trust in God is essential if we are to receive eternal life from God by being sanctified.

If you are not already fully trusting in God, why not take the necessary steps this very moment to become justified by faith, which is to be in a right relationship with God? I appeal to you, do not hesitate, do not delay. A life of forever joy, peace, and love with God awaits you.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

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