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Gratitude and Trust in God's Providence

Gratitude and trust in God's providence are recurring themes throughout the biblical narrative, often presented as intertwined aspects of a believer's relationship with the divine. The Apostle Paul, for instance, expresses gratitude to God, whom he serves "as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience," noting his unceasing remembrance of others in his prayers [3]. This highlights a connection between inherited faith, a clear conscience, and continuous thanksgiving. Similarly, the heavenly host is depicted as engaged in thanksgiving [6], suggesting its importance in both earthly and celestial worship.

The concept of gratitude is frequently linked to praise and thanksgiving. Scripture commands believers to give thanks [6], describing it as a "good thing" [6]. This thanksgiving should be directed to God and to Christ, and offered "through Christ" and "in the name of Christ" [6]. It is to be expressed in all circumstances ("in everything") [15], in private and public worship, and even before meals [6]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that Christ himself set an example of thanksgiving [6]. Praise, a close companion to thanksgiving, is due to God because of His majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, and mercy [7]. Christ is also deemed worthy of praise [7].

Trust, particularly trust in God's providence, is another foundational element of faith. The Psalms frequently exhort believers to "trust in the Lord" [1]. This trust is not merely a passive hope but an active reliance on God's character and actions. For example, Psalm 34:8 encourages individuals to "Taste ye and see, howe gratious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" [4]. This suggests that experiencing God's goodness reinforces trust. The happiness of saints in this life is directly linked to trust in God [8], as well as to the fear of God, the words of Christ, obedience, salvation, and hope in the Lord [8].

The object of this trust is often God's mercy. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 13:5, notes that the psalmist "trusted not in himself... but in the mercy of God" [16]. This mercy is not seen as bare or absolute but as "displayed in the plenteous redemption which is by Christ" [16]. Gill further elaborates on Psalm 31:7, stating that rejoicing in God's mercy stems from its nature—being "large and abundant, free and sovereign, from everlasting to everlasting"—and its effects, which include the covenant of grace, the mission of Christ, redemption, regeneration, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life [13]. The "tender mercies and loving kindnesses" of God are understood as special mercy, grace, and love in Christ, abundant and manifold [17].

Trust in God's providence also involves "waiting upon God" [9]. This waiting is described as waiting on God "as the God of providence" [9], as the God of salvation, and as the giver of all temporal blessings [9]. It encompasses waiting for mercy, pardon, consolation, salvation, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of God's word and promises [9]. This active waiting is considered "good" and is something God calls people to do [9].

The relationship between gratitude and trust is further illuminated by the concept of hope. Hope in God is obtained through grace, the Word, the Scriptures, and the Gospel [5]. It is also a work of the Holy Spirit and is linked to faith [5]. Romans 5:2 states that believers "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" [2]. This hope is described as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed [5]. John Gill, in his commentary on Romans 5:4, connects patience and experience to hope, explaining that tribulations lead to patience, which in turn builds experience of God's love, faithfulness, and power, ultimately strengthening hope [14]. This process fosters humility, thankfulness, and resignation to God's will [14].

Access to God, which underpins both gratitude and trust, is understood to be "of God" and "by Christ" [10]. Romans 5:2 highlights that believers "have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand" [2]. This access is also facilitated "by the Holy Spirit" and obtained "through faith" [10]. Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6 emphasizes that "Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort" [11]. This faith is expressed through love for others [11]. John Gill, commenting on Colossians 1:4, defines this faith as a "hearty assent to the whole doctrine of faith, concerning the person, offices, and grace of Christ," and as "the grace of faith in them, the operation of the Spirit of God in their souls" [12].

The integration of gratitude and trust is evident in the understanding that "all things work together for good to them that love God" [15]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:18, suggests that because of this, "every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness" [15]. one tradition argues that both prosperity and adversity can be helpful to those who live for God, and that God's will is for believers to be "always happy," in a spirit of prayer, and continually grateful and obedient, as "gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected" [15]. This perspective underscores that a deep trust in God's overarching plan, or providence, naturally leads to a posture of gratitude, even amidst challenging circumstances.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 4:5 (Geneva1599) — Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes, and trust in the Lord.”
  2. Romans “through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. -- Romans 5:2”
  3. 2 Timothy “I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day -- 2 Timothy 1:3”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 34:8 (Geneva1599) — Taste ye and see, howe gratious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  11. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6: 5:6 Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10; 14:17-19; 2 Cor 8:8-13).”
  12. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:4: Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus,.... This expresses the matter of their thankfulness, or what it was they gave thanks to God for, their faith in Christ; by which is not only meant their hearty assent to the whole doctrine of faith, concerning the person, offices, and grace of Christ, their soundness and steadfastness in it, and their sincere and constant profession of it; but the grace of faith in them, the operation of the Spirit of God in their souls, which had not Moses, nor any mere man, but Christ for its object; by which they looked unto him as a”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 31:7: I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy,.... Both because of the nature of it, which is large and abundant, free and sovereign, from everlasting to everlasting, and is communicated in and through Christ, and is a good ground of hope and trust; and because of the effects of it, or what it has produced; for to it are owing the covenant of grace, and all the sure mercies of it; the mission of Christ, and redemption by him; regeneration, and the forgiveness of sins, and even eternal life and glory; besides a multitude of blessings, deliverances, and salvations in Provide”
  14. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:4: And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and grace of God communicated to them at such seasons; of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises; of his power in supporting them; and of their own frailty and weakness; and so are taught humility, thankfulness, and resignation to the will of God: and experience, hope; hope is a gift of God's grace, and is implanted in regeneration, but abounds, increases, and becomes more s”
  15. 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks - For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. For this is the will of God - That ye should be always happy; that ye should ever be in the spirit of prayer; and that ye should profit by every occurrence in life, and be continually grateful and obedient; for gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected.”
  16. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 13:5: But I have trusted in thy mercy,.... The faith, hope, and comfort of the psalmist grew and increased by prayer; from complaining he goes to praying, from praying to believing; he trusted not in himself, not in his own heart, nor in his own righteousness and merits, but in the mercy of God; and not in the bare absolute mercy of God, but in the grace and goodness of God, as the word (x) here used signifies, as it is displayed in the plenteous redemption which is by Christ; which is a sufficient ground of faith and hope; see Psa 130:7; my heart shall rejoice in thy sal”
  17. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:6: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses,.... Not the providential mercy and kindness of God, in the care of him in his mother's womb, at the time of his birth, in his nurture and education, and in the preservation of him to the present time; but the special mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ: the sense of the petition is the same with that of Psa 106:4; which are expressed in the plural number, because of the largeness and abundance of it, and because of the various acts and instances of it; the Lord is rich and plenteous in mercy, abundant”
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