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Confidence in God's Sovereignty Amidst Uncertainty

Confidence in God's sovereignty amidst uncertainty is a recurring theme in biblical thought, rooted in the understanding of God's power and faithfulness. This confidence, often termed "assurance" or "faith," is presented as a firm persuasion of the mind that God's statements are true and worthy of trust [9]. It is not merely a belief, but a trust that admits of varying degrees, culminating in "full assurance of faith" which leaves no room for doubt [1].

The biblical texts frequently connect this confidence to God's character and actions. For instance, Proverbs 14:26 states, "In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge" [2]. This suggests that reverence for God provides a secure foundation for trust. Similarly, the psalmist declares, "There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous" (Psalms 14:5) [3], indicating that God's presence among the righteous instills confidence even in fearful situations.

The New Testament further develops this concept, particularly through the person and work of Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:12, "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence" [4]. This confidence is specifically "through Christ toward God" (2 Corinthians 3:4) [5]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's ultimate "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [1]. John Gill, commenting on 2 Corinthians 5:6, notes that believers are "always confident" because God has prepared them for immortality and given His Spirit as an earnest of it, leading to a full assurance of future happiness [11].

The nature of this confidence is described in various ways. It is produced by faith [7], and made full by hope [7]. Hope itself is rooted in God, in Christ, in God's promises, and in His mercy [6]. It is described as "good," "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" [6]. The steadfastness of God in all His purposes and ways provides a basis for human steadfastness [10]. This steadfastness is commanded of believers and is secured by God's power, His presence, trust in Him, and Christ's intercession [10].

The Reformer John Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, links confidence directly to faith, stating that "confidence proceeds from faith, as an effect from its cause" [14]. one tradition argues that when one is fully convinced of salvation in God, this forms a "solid foundation of full confidence" and serves as a remedy for fears [14]. This perspective aligns with the idea that faith rests upon the power of God to perform what He has promised, as seen in Abraham's example in Romans 4:20, where he was "fully persuaded... that what God had promised, he was able... to perform" [12].

The Methodist theologian Adam Clarke, commenting on Philippians 1:6, expresses confidence that "there shall be nothing lacking on God's part to support you; and to make you wise, holy and happy; and bring you at last to his kingdom and glory" [13]. This highlights the belief that God's sovereignty ensures His continued provision and ultimate fulfillment of His purposes for believers.

Historically, figures like Moses demonstrated confidence in God amidst overwhelming uncertainty. When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea, mountains, and the Egyptian army, facing despair, Moses did not waver, but encouraged them with promises of deliverance [8]. This illustrates a practical application of confidence in God's power to act even when human solutions are absent.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Proverbs “Proverbs 14:26 (NASB) — In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.”
  3. Psalms “There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous. -- Psalms 14:5”
  4. Ephesians “Ephesians 3:12 (BSB) — In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.”
  5. 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 3:4 (NASB) — Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.”
  6. 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 ”
  7. 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 ”
  8. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 3: of their freedom; and this so far, that their incredulity prompted them to throw stones at the prophet, while he encouraged them and promised them deliverance; and they resolved that they would deliver themselves up to the Egyptians. So there was sorrow and lamentation among the women and children, who had nothing but destruction before their eyes, while they were encompassed with mountains, the sea, and their enemies, and discerned no way of flying from them. 5. But Moses, though the multitude looked fiercely at him, did not, h”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
  11. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 5:6: Therefore we are always confident,.... Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured of enjoying what we are desirous of: knowing that whilst we are at home in the body; or whilst we are inmates or sojourners in the body; for the body is not properly the saints' home; whilst they are in it, they are but pilgrims and strangers; the time of their abode in it is the time of their sojourning: during ”
  12. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 4:20: And being fully persuaded,.... He had not only faith, a strong faith, but full assurance of faith: that what he God had promised; though it was so long ago, and there were so many difficulties in the way; he was able, being the Lord God Almighty, to perform; so his faith rested upon the power of God, with whom nothing is impossible.”
  13. Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 1:6: Being confident - There shall be nothing lacking on God's part to support you; and to make you wise, holy and happy; and bring you at last to his kingdom and glory.”
  14. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 18.4: when God is reconciled to us. But this prediction relates chiefly to the coming of Christ, which first exhibited fully the salvation of God. I will trust and not be afraid. He adds, that when we are fully convinced that salvation is laid up for us in God, this is a solid foundation of full confidence, and the best remedy for allaying fears. But for this we must have trembled, and been uneasy and distressed, and tortured by painful emotions. Hence, we conclude, that confidence proceeds from faith, as an effect from its cause. By faith we perce”
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