What Does the Bible Say about Trust and its Importance?

Contributing Writer
What Does the Bible Say about Trust and its Importance?

What Does the Bible Say about Trust?

As Christians, we are taught to trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” As our relationship with God grows, we should learn how to trust Him more. The Word of God says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). Sometimes, we wonder why God worked things out a particular way. His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither His ways our ways. We wonder why God chooses to use certain people that we would not have used. That is because His thoughts are not our thoughts. Neither are His ways our ways. He sees something in them that He can use. He sees their worth.

We set out and plan to do various things, but the plan of the Lord prevails. So many times, we wonder why we do not find things out until the time that it happens. God is covering us. He is covering us because many times we will share information with those who do not need it. They might not use it to our advantage. Other times, those who do receive information or discernment might not use it to their advantage. Have you ever had someone call you and they talked to you for a hot minute or not very long? Sometimes, people must see you or talk to you to get discernment. Discernment is a gift. People do get revelation knowledge from God. I would like to think that all revelation is of God, but that is not always the case.

The enemy gets revelation knowledge. It does not mean that he can stop God’s plans for us, but he will use whatever he gets to frustrate the plan if possible. Therefore, the enemy starts cutting up when God is getting ready to bless you. This is a good indication that something great is about to happen. The enemy cannot contain himself because he worked so hard to stop it.

Why Is Trust So Important in the Christian Faith?

Trust is important for Christians because we start out trusting that God sent His Son to earth. We trust that Jesus was born through the Virgin Mary. We were not there, but we trust the scriptures that Jesus walked this earth 33 years. He was crucified and died on the cross. We trust God and the history books that he rose three days later, ascended to heaven, and now sits on the right hand of God. Even though we trust God, God has left evidence of Jesus’s presence. If you have visited the Holy Land, you have seen some evidence. If you read the scriptures, you will find evidence that is collaborated by the history books.

What Are Examples in the Bible of People Who Exercised Trust?

Abraham exercised great trust in the Lord. Look at Genesis 22. “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” It is amazing to note that we do not see where Abraham questioned God or went back and forth with him as to why this might be.

This was a hard place I can imagine for him to trust God. Verses 3-5 continues with, “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then, on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” Notice that Abraham trusted God. He told his young men that He and Isaac will go and worship God and return again. Abraham believed in God and he trusted Him.

In the end, God did provide a sacrifice instead of Abraham sacrificing his son. We find evidence in Genesis 22:11-12. “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now, I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”

I do not know of many people who I believe have that sort of trust. You really must be sold-out for God to have trust where you would sacrifice your child for the Lord. That is how God operated in the Bible days. Then, He sent Jesus as a ransom or sacrifice for us so that this type of sacrifice would not be required. Nor would people be able to manipulate us that such a ransom is required.

We show our trust in God when we sacrifice plans for ourselves or our children for God’s plans. Some may want to pursue a certain career, but it is the plan of the Lord that prevails. God may have a different route and a different plan. That is why we pray and seek the wisdom of God. We should also be under church leadership that is hearing from God and following His directives. It is okay to seek advice if you need it.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He trusted God. In one instance, David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And God answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” This is in I Samuel 30:8”

God is waiting for us to seek His counsel. He wants us to be dependent on Him. He knows that we believe that we know much and have many plans. Even with our various degrees, we still believe that we can outsmart man and God. But the plans of the Lord are the ones that prevail. God does allow us many times to do our own thing. When He needs us for a different plan, He has a way of letting us know.

5 Ways to Trust God More Today

1. Read God’s Word so that you will know His voice. By knowing His voice, you know the character of God. God is not going to ask you to go out and hurt people. That is the voice of the enemy. God is not going to ask you to hurt yourself. Read God’s Word and know His voice. God is always challenging us to improve, and He is always helping us to be our best. He wants us to help others. He wants us to be a part of the plan for the salvation of man.

2. Pray to God through Jesus Christ. This is what we are supposed to do as Christians. We are supposed to pray to God. Other religions pray to their god. You should pray to ours.

3. Acknowledge that God’s ways are better than yours or others. Psalm 118:8 says “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

4. Look at God’s track record in your life. Notice when His hand was on your plans and when you trusted Him how you turned out. Job 13:15 says “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”

5. Listen to the preached word at your church, on television, on the radio, or read Christian-based material that will witness to you. Your faith should be built and your confidence in God should improve.

Photo credit: ©Unsplash/sam mgrdichian

Dr. Sandra SmithDr. Sandra Hamer Smith is a Christian and wife to Sylvester Smith. She has one stepson, Greg. Smith lives and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The University of Memphis alumnae has been in education for about 20 years after receiving the call to teach. Dr. Smith primarily teaches language arts. Prior to education, she worked in local and national television news for 13 years including positions as an overnight news anchor, reporter, and assignments editor at two local network affiliate stations. Smith was also a freelance correspondent for BET news. Dr. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defender newspaper and Contempora magazine.  She is the author of the self-published novel GLORY…THE HAIR.  Smith is also a playwright and poet. The Tennessee native is a member of Temple of Deliverance COGIC, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Omicron Delta Kappa, The Golden Key International Honour Society, and Kappa Delta Pi.