Importance of trust in God

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

Scripture emphasizes the importance of putting one’s trust in God. This trust, which is nurtured by an understanding of God’s revealed truth, finds expression in a life lived according to his purpose. There are examples in Scripture of proper trust being placed in other people.

Grounds for trust in God

Trust in God’s power and strength

Exodus 14:31 NLT

31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

2 Timothy 1:12 NLT

12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

Psalm 9:9–10 NLT

9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Psalm 115:9–11 NLT

9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.

Psalm 144:1–2 NLT

1 Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. 2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.

Trust in God’s unfailing love

Psalm 13:5 NLT

5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

Psalm 147:11 NLT

11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Trust in God’s salvation

Isaiah 12:2 NLT

2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

Isaiah 25:9 NLT

9 In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”

Trust nurtured by God’s revealed truth

Proverbs 22:19–21 NLT

19 I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

John 14:1–3 NLT

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Expressions of trust in God

Praise and worship

Psalm 28:7 NLT

7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Perseverance in faith

Hebrews 12:2–3 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Holding on to God’s promise

Colossians 1:5 NLT

5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

Jesus Christ’s trust in the Father

Matthew 27:43 NLT

43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Further examples of trust in God

Acts 14:23 NLT

23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

The results of trusting in God

Peace

Isaiah 26:3–4 NLT

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Security

Proverbs 29:25 NLT

25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Protection from danger

Psalm 91:1–4 NLT

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Freedom from fear

Psalm 23:4 NLT

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

In Conclusion:

Prosperity

In the OT material prosperity is often seen as a sign of the spiritual wealth that belongs to those who trust God

Proverbs 28:25 NLT

25 Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

Proverbs 16:20 NLT

20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 NLT

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.