Historical Examples of Trusting God's Character and Promises
Throughout biblical history, individuals and communities have demonstrated trust in God's character and promises, often in the face of significant challenges. This trust is frequently linked to God's faithfulness and the reliability of his word [6, 7].
One prominent example is Abraham, who is called the "friend of God" because he "believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness" [3]. Abraham's belief in God's promise that he would have a numerous seed, despite his advanced age, is highlighted as a premier example of faith [7, 9]. This trust extended to his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, believing God would still fulfill his promise [7]. Abraham's dependence on God's faithfulness is contrasted with human unreliability [8]. God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are foundational examples of divine commitments [5].
The Israelites, after their deliverance from Egypt, also exhibited trust in God's promises. The conquest of Jericho, where the people acted in obedience to God's "unusual instructions," serves as another example of great faith [10]. The Exodus narrative itself shows that the redeemed people had confidence in God's ability to lead them into the Promised Land, based on his "unfailing love" and might [11]. God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises is a recurring theme [6].
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul speaks of the "glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust" [2, 4]. This indicates a reliance on God's character in the ministry of the gospel. Trust in God is also seen as producing boldness [1]. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the reliability of God's faithfulness to his promises, particularly through his oath, which provides hope [7]. This hope is rooted in the understanding that God is "absolutely dependable and can be leaned upon" [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 1:11 — According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
- James “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. -- James 2:23”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:11 (KJV) — According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
- 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: Faithfulness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Isa 49:7; 1Co 1:9; 1Th 5:24. Declared to be Great. -- La 3:23. Established. -- Ps 89:2. Incomparable. -- Ps 89:8. Unfailing. -- Ps 89:33; 2Ti 2:13. Infinite. -- Ps 36:5. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:90; 146:6. Should be pleaded in prayer -- Ps 143:1. Should be proclaimed -- Ps 40:10; 89:1. Manifested In his counsels. -- Isa 25:1. In afflicting his saints. -- Ps 119:75. In fulfilling his promises. -- 1Ki 8:20; Ps 132:11; Mic 7:20; Heb 10:23. In keeping his covenant. -- De 7:9; Ps 111:5. In executing his judgments. -- Je”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:13: 6:13-20 This passage focuses on the reliability of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The theme of God’s oath is developed with an illustration (6:13-15), followed by a general principle (6:16), followed by the main point: God has sworn a significant oath (6:17-18), which gives us hope because it shows that Jesus is our permanent High Priest (6:19-20). 6:13-14 Abraham was the premier exemplar of faith: He continued to believe that God would give him a son, then was willing to sacrifice that son in obedience to God (11:17-19; Gen 15:1-5; 22:1-14). In response to ”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 7:9: 7:9 A faithful God is absolutely dependable and can be leaned upon. Abraham was commended as being righteous because he believed God; he was wholly dependent upon God’s faithfulness (Gen 15:6). • Contrasted with human agents, who often break their pledges, the Lord faithfully keeps his covenant.”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the Lord,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan are,"in the Word of the Lord;''in the essential Word of the Lord, in Christ the Lord his righteousness; he believed in the promise of God, that he should have a seed, and a very numerous one; he believed that the Messiah would spring from his seed; he believed in him as his Saviour and Redeemer; he believed in him for righteousness, and he believed in his righteousness as justifying him before God: and he counted it to him for righteousness; not the act of his faith, but the object of it; and not ”
- 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.”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 15:13: 15:13-18 The people God has redeemed have confidence for the future. In light of what the Lord had done in rescuing Israel from his enemies, there was no question that he would be able to carry through on his promise to take them safely into the Promised Land. 15:13 In light of God’s unfailing love and his might, there is no reason to doubt that he will be able to keep his promises. “Unfailing love” is a translation of the Hebrew word khesed, which speaks of the undeserved kindness and loyalty of a superior to an inferior. It is the most frequent descriptor of Go”