Examples of Trusting in God's Sovereignty in Scripture

Trusting in God's sovereignty is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, exemplified by various figures who demonstrate confidence in God's ultimate control and purposes. This trust often manifests as a steadfast reliance on God's character and promises, even in challenging circumstances.

One prominent example of trust in God's sovereignty is seen in the life of Jesus Christ. He demonstrated resignation to God's will, even in the face of immense suffering and the prospect of death, as recorded in Matthew 26:39-44 and John 12:27, 18:11 ^[2]. His prayer in Gethsemane, "not as I will, but as you will," encapsulates this profound submission to divine authority ^[2]. The apostle Paul also speaks of having "such confidence through Christ toward God" (2 Corinthians 3:4 NASB) ^[1]. This confidence is rooted in Christ's faithfulness as a Son over His house, and believers are part of that house if they hold fast to their hope ^[3].

The Old Testament provides numerous instances of individuals and the nation of Israel trusting in God's sovereign power. The Psalms, in particular, frequently express this reliance. For example, Psalm 29 encourages trust in God by celebrating His mighty power over the natural world ^[7]. Similarly, Psalm 65:6 highlights God's great power and goodness as the foundation for confidence, illustrating it through His control over nature and nations ^[8]. David, in Psalm 71:1, prays that he might never be ashamed of his dependence on God or disappointed in his expectations, reflecting a deep trust in God's faithfulness ^[10]. Even the King Messiah (Christ) is described as trusting in the Lord for support, sustenance, and deliverance, and through God's mercy, He would not be moved (Psalm 21:7) ^[11].

Trust in God's sovereignty is also linked to the belief in His promises. God's promises, contained in the Scriptures, are made in Christ and confirmed by an oath, and God is faithful to them (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 10:23) ^[4]. This faithfulness provides a strong basis for believers to place their trust in Him. The concept of assurance, which is produced by faith and made full by hope, further underscores this reliance on God's sovereign plan ^[6]. This assurance allows saints to be confident in their election, redemption, adoption, and salvation ^[6].

Biblical figures also exhibited trust in God's sovereignty through their resignation to His will in various trials. Job, for instance, demonstrated resignation in the loss of his goods and children (Job 1:15, 16, 18, 19, 21) and in bodily suffering (Job 2:8-10) ^[2]. This resignation is a form of submission to God's sovereignty in His purposes, as seen in Romans 9:20-21 ^[2]. The conquest of Jericho, where the people acted in obedience to God's unusual instructions, serves as another example of great faith and trust in God's sovereign plan ^[9].

The elders in Revelation, representing the people of God, acknowledge God's sovereign rule as the Almighty through their worship, confirming His victorious enthronement (Revelation 11:16-18) ^[12]. This act of worship demonstrates a recognition and trust in God's ultimate control over all things. The unity of God, asserted by God Himself, Christ, Moses, and the apostles, also provides a ground for obeying Him exclusively and loving Him supremely, further reinforcing the concept of His singular sovereignty ^[5].

Sources

2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 3:4 (NASB) — Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
Hebrews “but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. -- Hebrews 3:6”
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: 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”
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 ”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
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.”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:30: 11:30 The conquest of Jericho (Josh 5:13–6:27) offers another example of great faith, as the people acted in obedience to God’s unusual instructions.”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 71:1: Two things in general David here prays for - that he might not be confounded and that his enemies and persecutors might be confounded. I. He prays that he might never be made ashamed of his dependence upon God nor disappointed in his believing expectations from him. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace; for God will never disappoint the hope that is of his own raising. Now observe here, 1. How David professes his confidence in God, and with what pleasure and grateful variety of expression he repeats his profession of that c”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 21:7: For the King trusteth in the Lord,.... That is, the King Messiah, as the Targum paraphrases it; he trusted in the Lord for his support and sustenance as man, for assistance and help in his time of trouble, and for deliverance out of it; he trusted in the Lord that he would hear him for himself, and for his people; and that he would glorify him with all glory, honour, majesty, and blessedness, before spoken of; see Psa 22:8; and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved; God the Father is the most High; Christ is called the Son of the Highest, and the ”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 11:16: 11:16-18 The twenty-four elders, representing the people of God, confirm God’s victorious enthronement (see study note on 4:4). Their worship acknowledges God’s sovereign rule as the Almighty (see 4:10-11; 5:8-10).”

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