What it Means to Trust God

April 20, 2020

We live in unique times. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are facing challenges most of us have never seen in our lifetime. 

Such challenges should encourage us to trust in God. Consider these passages: 

  • The individual who trusts God is blessed (Jeremiah 17:7–8).
  • Trust God instead of leaning on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5–6).
  • When we are afraid, we need to trust God (Psalm 56:3).
  • We are to trust in the Lord and do good (Psalm 37:3).
  • God knows those who take refuge in Him (Nahum 1:7).
  • It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust man (Psalm 118:8).
  • God keeps those who trust in Him in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

It is easy to say, “I trust God” when all is well, but in times of uncertainty or hardship, we will show what we truly believe (Proverbs 24:10). Even when the world panics, Christians can be joyful and sensible because we see the One who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). 

If we truly believe in the God who runs the universe, we cannot be as fearful and faithless as our contemporaries who do not know God. The world is always watching (Philippians 1:28).

Although we do not know exactly how things will turn out, we know that eventually, they will improve. When Paul was in prison and his future unknown, he spoke in positive terms of his release and was optimistic about his future (Philippians 1:19; 2:24). We should preface all plans with “if the Lord wills,” and we must reject the pessimism that makes it seem as if we live under a perpetual gray cloud (James 4:15).

In the present moment, we may think we are suffering more than anyone else ever has. This attitude can cloud our vision about God. We are reminded that we can trust God when we look back at all He has done in the past (2 Corinthians 1:9–11). In both the Old and New Testaments, God delivered His people from terrible things.

Also, in our lives, we know of valleys from which God has rescued us, and we can lean on those memories for hope. All things work together for God’s ultimate good for His people (Romans 8:28) —we need to remember that.

Jesus told His disciples that they would have trouble in the world, but because He overcame, so could they (John 16:33). “Trust in Him at all times” (Psalm 62:8). —Hiram Kemp, Lakeland, Florida