Biblical Basis For Trusting God Completely
The biblical basis for trusting God completely stems from His inherent character, His actions in creation and providence, and His revealed promises. This trust, often termed "assurance," is presented as a fundamental aspect of faith [2, 6].
Scripture frequently highlights God's faithfulness as the foundation for human trust. Paul, for instance, bases his confidence on the faithful character of God [7]. The psalmist similarly declares, "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (Psalm 36:5 KJV) [13]. This faithfulness is not merely an abstract concept but is demonstrated through God's consistent nature and His adherence to His word [13]. The promises of God, contained in the Scriptures, are made in Christ and are confirmed by an oath, with God being faithful to them [5].
Trusting God completely involves recognizing His unique sovereignty and power. The unity of God, as asserted by God Himself (Isaiah 44:6, 8), Moses (Deuteronomy 4:39), Christ (Mark 12:29), and the apostles (1 Corinthians 8:4, 6), serves as a ground for obeying Him exclusively and loving Him supremely [3]. Charles Hodge notes that God's natural attributes—His infinitude, eternity, and immutability—would not be a ground of confidence without His moral excellence [8]. God's great power and goodness, evident in His control over nature and nations, further illustrate the grounds for this confidence [12].
The New Testament emphasizes that such trust is "through Christ to God-ward" (2 Corinthians 3:4; 4) [1, 4]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [2]. This "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) is a fullness of faith that leaves no room for doubt [2]. It is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love [6].
Complete trust in God also implies an acceptance of His justice and providence. The Babylonian Talmud, citing Deuteronomy 18:13 ("You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God"), teaches that one should not consult astrologers, as the Torah demands absolute faith in God and acceptance of His justice, without attempting to predict the future [11]. The Heidelberg Catechism articulates this by stating that believers trust God so much that they do not doubt He will provide for body and soul and will turn adversity to good [10]. This trust requires a renunciation of human philosophy as a guide in matters of religion, instead receiving the wisdom of God [9].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 3:4 — And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:4 (KJV) — And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:24: 5:24 God will make this happen: Paul bases his confidence on the faithful character of God (1 Cor 1:9; 2 Thes 3:3; 2 Tim 2:13; 1 Jn 1:9).”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 41: ground of confidence to the people of God; as in Deuteronomy xxxii. 40 , and Isaiah xl. 28 , “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” These natural attributes, however, would be no ground of confidence if not associated with moral excellence. He who as Jehovah is declared to be infinite, eternal, and immutable in his being, no less infinite, eternal, and immutable in his knowledge, wisdom,”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 19: reason or wisdom, in order to receive the wisdom of God. Our Lord told his disciples that unless they were converted and became as little children, they could not enter into the kingdom of God. And the Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Corinthians, and in those addressed to the Ephesians and Colossians, that is, when writing to those imbued with the Greek and with the oriental philosophy, made it the indispensable condition of their becoming Christians, that they should renounce philosophy as a guide in matters of religion, and receive ”
- Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) “Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed, 1563), Q. What do you believe when you say,: Q. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”? A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them,1 who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence,2 is my God and Father because of Christ the Son.3 I trust God so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul,4 and will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world.5”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 113b.15: Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Shmuel bar Marta said that Rav said, citing Rabbi Yosei of Hutzal: From where is it derived that one may not consult astrologers? As it is stated: “You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 18:13). The Torah demands absolute faith in God and acceptance of His justice, without attempting to predict the future.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:6: God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this confidence. These are illustrated in His control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations affecting men with awe and dread (Psa 26:7; Psa 98:1, &c.), and in His fertilizing showers, causing the earth to produce abundantly for man and beast.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: not He expressly offer it. “I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth. Withhold not thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me,” ( Ps. 40:10, 11 ). “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds,” ( Ps. 36:5 ). “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies,” ( Ps. 25:10 ). “His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the tr”