Inside: If we don’t put our confidence in God because He answers our prayers the way we want, then why do we trust Him?
Perhaps you’ve heard a popular worship song about trusting God. The one I’m thinking of has a catchy tune with a good message overall, but the bridge stops me every time I hear it.
Here’s a paraphrase: “I prayed earnestly and God answered my prayer, which is why I trust Him.”
To me, those lyrics imply cause and effect. I prayed, God answered (presumably how I wanted), so I trust Him.
Why Trust God?
But what if we pray and God doesn’t seem to answer, or the answer isn’t what we want? Why would we trust Him then?
These questions prompted me to think about my own life.
Why do I trust God? Not how, which would obviously be very imperfectly. But why?
I was raised in a solidly Christian home and wasn’t taught or given the impression that following Jesus would exempt me from hardship. In fact, now that I think about it, any trust in God that I’ve developed as an adult has come mostly through struggles and difficult seasons.
Perfectly Trustworthy
I know you’re not supposed to use the word you are defining in a definition, but when it comes to trust, God is the definition. He is perfect in every way, to paraphrase another familiar worship song, which means He is perfectly trustworthy.
This is clear when we consider other aspects of His character. For example, in an article on the Desiring God website, author Trillia Newbell explains that we can trust God because He is sovereign, wise and loving.
“God doesn’t do anything in his sovereign will that isn’t both wise and loving,” she writes. “If God is for you, who can be against you? We don’t trust God simply because someone tells us to. We trust God because he is God. He is holy and awesome and righteous in every way. We can trust God because we don’t serve a God who is only sovereign and wise. He is also infinitely loving.”
A Biblical Command
We do trust God because the Bible tells us to, of course. Isaiah 26:3-4 puts it plainly: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 offers more guidance: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
This passage doesn’t imply everything will always go well for us if we trust God. Rather, it assures us that He will show us the path of life when we follow His ways instead of our own plans and wisdom.
Well-placed Confidence
Our confidence is in Him, not in ourselves or anything else. As Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 91:2 adds, “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
My birthday is tomorrow, and in all my almost 55 years, I’d be hard pressed to think of another 12-month period when I have been more grateful that I can say this too.
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What does trusting God mean to you? Please share in the comments.
♥ Lois
When it comes to trust, God is the definition. He is perfect in every way, which means He is perfectly trustworthy. Share on X The Bible doesn’t imply everything will always go well for us if we trust God. Rather, it assures us that He will show us the path of life when we follow His ways instead of our own. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
12 comments
Happy belated birthday, dear friend! What a year you have had, praise the Lord for his faithfulness to you and how your trust in him has grown this year in particular. You are an example to me. Love the logic in this post – especially that He is the definition of trustworthy. Amen!
Thanks so much, Bethany! Yes, it’s been quite a year, that’s for sure. It’s kind of you to say I’m an example to you; I feel the same about you, my friend.
Happy birthday to someone who has modeled what trust looks like under the hard circumstaances. I appreciate the way you pour into our lives, Lois.
Weekend blessings to you, friend.
Thanks so much, Linda. I appreciate the same about you!
First of all – Happy Birthday, Lois!!! I am so grateful the Lord crossed our paths!
Over the years, I have come to trust God more and more. Why? Because He truly does know best and always does what is for our good. Now that also means, there were times He did not answer as I had wanted or hoped. And guess what? I have come to be very thankful for the prayers He answered differently. Those, too, taught me He is worthy of my trust and always trustworthy. Many, many blessings to you, Lois! And may we keep trusting Him!
Thanks so much for your birthday wishes, Joanne. You are a blessing in my life! I appreciate your testimony of being thankful for the prayers God answered differently than you may have hoped. He always knows best, doesn’t He?
Trust is foundational to our walk with the Lord, Lois. May you have a Happy Birthday! I’m visiting you from Joanne’s today.
Thanks so much, Lisa!
This is so good, Lois. Our trusting shouldn’t rest on whether or not He gives us what WE want. He always knows what’s best for us, doesn’t He? Even though it may be hard to “feel” it at the time we’re going through some tough stuff. I long to trust Him with all my heart, to wholeheartedly believe He is loving, wise, and faithful no matter what happens in our lives. Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
Amen, Trudy. I long for the same thing, to truly believe and accept the words of the hymn that says, “All I hath needed, Thy hand hath provided.” Thanks for your encouragement, friend. You are a blessing to me.
It’s easy to trust when our prayers are answered the way we want–harder when they’re not. But as we get to know Him better, we can trust Him in any circumstance. I’m thankful He hasn’t always given me what I wanted at the time.
I’m thankful for that too, Barbara. Hugs, friend.