Relying on God's sovereignty, care, and faithfulness.
Trust: Relying on God’s Sovereignty, Care, and Faithfulness
Trust is not a vague feeling that “things will work out.” Biblically, trust is a deliberate, Spirit-empowered reliance on the character, promises, and power of God—often in the face of contrary circumstances. It is the posture of a heart that says, “God is who He says He is, and He will do what He said He will do.”
1. The Biblical Definition of Trust
Old Testament Words for “Trust”
Several key Hebrew words shape the biblical idea of trust:
בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ) – to trust, be confident, feel secure.
Often used for placing one’s confidence in God:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart” (Prov 3:5).
It carries the sense of leaning on someone for security and safety.
חָסָה (ḥāsāh) – to take refuge, seek shelter.
“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Ps 2:12 NKJV).
The image is of running under God’s wings, like a bird sheltering its young (Ps 91:4).
אָמַן (’āman) – to be firm, reliable, faithful; from this comes “amen.”
“Believe” in the sense of rely upon, stand firm on:
“And he believed (’āman) in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6).
Together, these words show that trust is:
Confidence in God’s character.
Seeking refuge in His protection.
Standing firmly on His faithfulness.
New Testament Words for “Trust”
The New Testament primarily uses:
πιστεύω (pisteuō) – to believe, trust, rely upon.
More than mental agreement; it is entrusting oneself to a person.
“Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
πείθω (peithō) – to be persuaded, to have confidence.
“Being confident (peithō) of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Phil 1:6).
Biblical trust, then, is not passive. It is an active reliance on God’s faithfulness, expressed in obedience, surrender, and expectation.
2. Old Testament Foundation: Trust in the Law, Prophets, and History
Abraham: Trust as Covenant Foundation
Abraham is the prototype of faith and trust. God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars when he had no child (Gen 15:1–5). Abraham’s response:
“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen 15:6)
He trusted God’s word above visible reality. This becomes the pattern for all who walk by faith (Rom 4:18–21).
Israel in the Wilderness: Trust Tested
God led Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders (Ex 7–12), but in the wilderness their trust was repeatedly tested:
At the Red Sea (Ex 14) – Would they trust God’s deliverance?
With manna (Ex 16) – Would they trust God’s daily provision?
At Kadesh Barnea (Num 13–14) – Would they trust God’s promise to give them the land?
Their frequent failure to trust is summarized:
“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Heb 3:19)
The Law and the wilderness journey teach that trust is the condition for entering into God’s promises.
The Psalms: Trust as Worship and Warfare
The Psalms are saturated with trust language:
“In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56:4)
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Ps 20:7)
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Ps 118:8)
Trust is both:
An act of worship: acknowledging who God is.
A weapon of warfare: refusing to bow to fear, circumstances, or human strength.
The Prophets: Trust vs. Idolatry and Human Strength
The prophets constantly confront Israel’s misplaced trust:
Trusting in alliances (Egypt, Assyria) instead of God (Isa 31:1).
Trusting in idols and human wisdom (Jer 17:5–8).
Jeremiah contrasts two kinds of people:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man…
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” (Jer 17:5–7)
Trust determines whether we live under blessing or under curse. To trust God is to recognize His sovereignty, His care, and His faithfulness as ultimate.
3. The Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus as the Perfect Model and Object of Trust
Jesus’ Own Trust in the Father
Jesus, though fully God, lived as a man utterly dependent on the Father and the Spirit. His entire life was one of trust:
He only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19).
He trusted the Father’s provision (Matt 6:25–34; John 4:34).
In Gethsemane, facing the cross:
“Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
On the cross, He entrusted His spirit to the Father:
“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Jesus shows us that trust is the atmosphere of a Spirit-led life.
Jesus Inviting Trust in Himself
Jesus not only trusted the Father; He called people to trust Him:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)
To trust Christ is to rely on His finished work, His present intercession, and His coming kingdom. He becomes the object of our trust, because He is the exact representation of the Father’s nature (Heb 1:3).
The Cross and Resurrection: God’s Faithfulness Displayed
At the cross, it appeared that all hope was lost. Yet in that darkest moment, God was most powerfully at work:
The cross reveals God’s love and justice (Rom 3:25–26).
The resurrection reveals God’s power and faithfulness to His promises (Acts 2:24–32).
Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we can trust:
His promises are reliable (2 Cor 1:20).
His power is sufficient for every situation (Eph 1:19–20).
His care is personal and ongoing (Heb 7:25; 1 Pet 5:7).
Christ is the fulfillment of all Old Testament calls to trust God. In Him, the sovereign, caring, faithful God is revealed and made accessible.
4. The Power for Today: The Holy Spirit and Trust
This is where a continuationist, Spirit-filled understanding is vital. Trust is not merely a psychological attitude; it is a fruit of the Spirit and a response to the Spirit’s revelation.
The Spirit Reveals the Trustworthiness of God
The Holy Spirit’s primary work is to reveal Christ and the Father’s heart:
He “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16).
He “takes of what is Mine and declares it to you” (John 16:14–15).
As the Spirit opens the Scriptures and illuminates Jesus to us, our trust is strengthened. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Rom 10:17), and the Spirit is the One who makes that word alive.
The Spirit Empowers Faith and Bold Expectation
Trust and faith are inseparable. The Spirit is called the “Spirit of faith”:
“And since we have the same spirit of faith… we also believe and therefore speak.” (2 Cor 4:13)
The Spirit:
Enables us to believe God for salvation, healing, deliverance, and provision.
Inspires bold prayers and declarations aligned with God’s will.
Gives gifts of faith (1 Cor 12:9) for specific situations requiring extraordinary trust.
In a continuationist framework, we expect:
Miracles as confirmations of God’s word (Mark 16:20).
The gifts of the Spirit operating today (1 Cor 12:7–11).
The inner witness and guidance of the Spirit (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18).
Trust is not blind; it is Spirit-informed and Spirit-energized.
Trust in Spiritual Warfare
The enemy’s primary weapon is deception—attacking God’s character and promises. From Eden onward, Satan’s strategy has been: “Has God indeed said…?” (Gen 3:1).
The shield of faith (Eph 6:16) is essentially the shield of trust:
Trust in God’s goodness when circumstances scream otherwise.
Trust in His word when feelings fluctuate.
Trust in His power when the battle seems overwhelming.
As we trust, the Spirit:
Strengthens our inner man (Eph 3:16).
Guards our hearts and minds with God’s peace (Phil 4:7).
Enables us to stand firm and resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8–9).
Trust and the Authority of the Believer
Trust is foundational to exercising spiritual authority. We can only exercise authority to the extent that we trust:
The finished work of Christ (Col 2:15).
Our position in Him (Eph 2:6).
The power of His name (Phil 2:9–11; John 14:13–14).
When we trust that Christ truly has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18), and that He has delegated authority to His church (Luke 10:19), we can:
Command demons to leave in Jesus’ name.
Pray for the sick expecting healing (Mark 16:17–18; James 5:14–15).
Speak to mountains (obstacles) in faith (Mark 11:22–24).
The Holy Spirit takes the objective truths of the gospel and makes them subjective realities in our hearts, so we trust enough to act.
5. Practical Application: Walking in Trust
Here are concrete steps for cultivating trust in God’s sovereignty, care, and faithfulness.
1. Anchor Your Heart in the Word
Trust is built on knowing who God is and what He has said.
Daily read and meditate on Scripture, especially passages revealing God’s character (Psalms, Gospels, promises in Isaiah, Romans 8, etc.).
Personalize God’s promises in prayer:
“Lord, You said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Heb 13:5). I choose to trust that now.”
The Spirit uses the Word as the raw material to build trust.
2. Surrender Control in Prayer
Trust is not merely saying, “God is in control,” but yielding control to Him.
In prayer, consciously lay situations before God:
“Father, I give You my finances, my health, my family, my ministry. I renounce anxiety and choose to trust Your wisdom and timing.”
Pray like Jesus: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), while still boldly presenting your requests (Phil 4:6).
The more we surrender, the more we experience His peace and power.
3. Act in Obedience to What God Has Revealed
Trust is proven by obedience.
When Scripture is clear (forgive, give, serve, repent, reconcile), obey even when feelings resist.
When the Spirit prompts you (to pray for someone, to speak a word, to give generously), step out in faith.
Obedience opens the door for God’s power to manifest and reinforces trust as you see His faithfulness in response.
4. Practice Thankful Remembrance
Israel often fell into unbelief because they forgot God’s works (Ps 106:7).
Keep a journal of answered prayers, prophetic confirmations, healings, and provisions.
Regularly thank God for past faithfulness:
“Lord, You delivered me then; You provided then; You healed then. I trust You now.”
Thanksgiving shifts your focus from the size of the problem to the greatness of God.
5. Cultivate a Lifestyle of Spirit-Filled Expectation
Trust anticipates God’s involvement.
Ask the Holy Spirit daily: “What are You doing today? How can I cooperate?”
When facing a need, say: “Holy Spirit, show me how the Father wants to reveal His faithfulness here.”
Expect God to speak through Scripture, inner witness, prophetic words, and the body of Christ.
A posture of expectation invites the Spirit’s activity and deepens trust as you see Him move.
6. Key Scriptures on Trust (With Brief Commentary)
Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Trust is wholehearted reliance on God’s wisdom over our own reasoning. The promise: supernatural guidance.
Psalm 37:3–5
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Trust is linked with doing good, delighting in God, and committing our way to Him. The result: God Himself brings His purposes to fulfillment.
Isaiah 26:3–4
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”
Trust produces supernatural peace. Fixing our mind on God stabilizes us because His strength is unchanging.
Jeremiah 17:7–8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters… and will not fear when heat comes… nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
The trusting believer is resilient in crisis. External “heat” and “drought” do not stop inner fruitfulness.
Romans 8:28, 31–32
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose… If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son… how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
God’s sovereignty and sacrificial love guarantee that He is working all things for our ultimate good. The cross is the proof that we can trust Him with everything else.
Philippians 4:6–7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Trust expresses itself in prayer instead of anxiety, and God responds with guarding peace—an active, military term for protection.
Hebrews 11:1, 6
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Trust (faith) treats God’s unseen promises as real and expects Him to reward sincere seekers. This posture is essential to pleasing God.
A Closing Exhortation
Trust is not denial of reality; it is choosing a higher reality—the sovereignty, care, and faithfulness of God revealed in Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit. In a world of shaking, the Spirit is raising up believers who:
Stand on God’s Word.
Yield to God’s will.
Expect God’s power.
Testify to God’s faithfulness.
You can be one of them. Ask the Holy Spirit now:
“Spirit of the living God, deepen my trust. Reveal the Father’s heart. Glorify Jesus in my circumstances. I choose to rely on Your sovereignty, Your care, and Your faithfulness—today and every day. Amen.”