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Trust and Obedience in God's Good Plan

Trust in God and obedience to his commands are presented in Scripture as intertwined aspects of a life lived according to God's plan [1, 4]. This relationship is not merely transactional but stems from a confidence that God "has our best interests at heart" [13].

The biblical concept of trust in God involves a deep reliance on his character and promises. The Psalms frequently exhort believers to "trust in the LORD" [1, 2, 15]. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God is steadfast in his purposes and ways [8]. It is a hope placed "in God" and "in God's promises," which are described as good, holy, and confirmed by an oath [7, 10]. This hope is not passive but is actively "obtained through Grace," "the word," and "faith" [7]. John Gill notes that past experiences of divine favor, where God has been "mindful of his covenant with them and promises to them," should encourage continued trust [17].

Obedience to God is consistently commanded throughout Scripture [5]. It encompasses obeying his voice, his law, and specifically obeying Christ and the gospel [5]. This includes keeping his commandments [4, 5]. The Tyndale House commentary on Psalms 103:18 states that "To obey God means to be faithful and loyal to him" [12]. Obedience is not merely external adherence to rules but is an expression of devotion and fear of God, where one's affections and actions are governed by that fear [11]. It is a characteristic of saints [5].

The relationship between trust and obedience is reciprocal. Trust in God provides the foundation for obedience, as one acts on the belief that God's commands are good and lead to a good outcome. Conversely, obedience demonstrates and strengthens trust. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that "without faith it is impossible to please him" [5, 18]. This faith, or trust, is essential for performing any religious duties or good works in an acceptable way [18].

Christian conduct, therefore, involves both believing God and obeying him [6]. It includes fearing God, loving God, and following God, as well as believing in and obeying Christ [6]. Believers are reminded to be "ready for every good work" [3]. Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of obedience [5]. The New Testament further clarifies that "doing God’s will includes repentance from sin, faith in God, and following Jesus" [14].

The steadfastness required in Christian life is secured by the power and presence of God, and by trust in him [8]. This steadfastness is to be manifested in cleaving to God, in the work of the Lord, and in continuing in the apostles' doctrine [8]. The concept of patience is also linked to waiting for God and waiting for Christ, which implies a trusting endurance [9]. The lives of those under the old covenant, who lived "by faith in God’s promises, enduring any difficulties faced in this world," serve as an example for God's people under the new covenant [16]. This historical perspective underscores that the pattern of trusting God's plan and obeying his will has been consistent throughout salvation history.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 37:3 (NASB) — Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 4:5 (Geneva1599) — Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes, and trust in the Lord.”
  3. Titus “Titus 3:1 (BSB) — Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 78:7 (YLT) — And place in God their confidence, And forget not the doings of God, But keep His commands.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  7. 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 ”
  8. 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”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
  10. 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. -- ”
  11. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:38: Here is 1. The character of a good man, which is the work of God's grace in him; he is God's servant, subject to his law and employed in his work, that is, devoted to his fear, given up to his direction and disposal, and taken up with high thoughts of him and all those acts of devotion which have a tendency to his glory. Those are truly God's servants who, though they have their infirmities and defects, are sincerely devoted to the fear of God and have all their affections and motions governed by that fear; they are engaged and addicted to religion. 2. The confi”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:18: 103:18 To obey God means to be faithful and loyal to him.”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 31:6: 31:6-8 Trust in the Lord requires confidence that he has our best interests at heart.”
  14. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 3:35: 3:35 Doing God’s will includes repentance from sin, faith in God, and following Jesus (1:15, 18, 20).”
  15. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 62:8: Here we have David's exhortation to others to trust in God and wait upon him, as he had done. Those that have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from, and we shall have never the less for others sharing with us. I. He counsels all to wait upon God, as he did, Psa 62:8. Observe, 1. To whom he gives this good counsel: You people (that is, all people); all shall be welcome to trust in God, for he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, Psa 65:5. You people of th”
  16. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:39: 11:39-40 The way to live as God’s people under the new covenant is to live as all these people did under the old covenant: by faith in God’s promises, enduring any difficulties faced in this world. • earned a good reputation: God has borne witness to their faithfulness (see also 11:2). • yet none of them received all that God had promised: They all died prior to Christ’s promised coming; the something better began with Christ’s sacrificial work (8:3–10:18) and anticipates the future culmination of God’s plan for his people. • would not reach perfection: See stud”
  17. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 115:12: The Lord hath been mindful of us,.... The Targum is, "the Word of the Lord hath remembered us for good.'' And is another reason why his people should trust in him: he has been mindful of his covenant with them and promises to them, and has kept them; he remembered them in their low estate, and sent redemption to them; goodness and mercy have followed them all their days. Past experiences of divine favour should encourage trust in the Lord, as well as promises of future blessings, as follow: he will bless us; with all kind of blessings, temporal and spiritual; ”
  18. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:5: But without faith it is impossible to please him,.... Or do things well pleasing in his sight; or any of the duties of religion, in an acceptable way; as prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances, or any good works whatever; because such are without Christ, and without his Spirit; and have neither right principles, nor right ends: for this is not to be understood of the persons of God's elect, as considered in Christ; in whom they are well pleasing to him before faith; being loved by him with an everlasting love; and chosen in Christ, before the foundatio”
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