Trusting God in Times of Turmoil and Uncertainty

Trusting God in times of turmoil and uncertainty is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing reliance on divine power and faithfulness amidst human vulnerability. The concept of trust in God is presented as a foundational aspect of faith, particularly when facing distress or fear ^{[1, 9, 10]}.

The Old Testament frequently portrays God as a refuge and source of strength for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 states, "Good is Jehovah for a strong place in a day of distress. And He knoweth those trusting in Him" ^[3]. Similarly, the Psalms repeatedly call believers to place their confidence in God. Psalm 56:11 declares, "in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ^[1]. This sentiment is echoed in other psalms, which encourage trust in God "at all times" and describe Him as a "help and a shield" ^{[12, 13]}. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 31:1, notes that this trust is not placed in any creature or human endeavor, but solely in the Lord Jehovah, encompassing all aspects of life, both temporal and eternal ^[14]. This trust is a continuous act, not merely a past or future intention ^{[10, 14]}.

The New Testament reinforces this emphasis on divine trust. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:10, explains that believers "labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe" ^[2]. This highlights that trust in God is not only a response to immediate crises but also a guiding principle for Christian life, even in the face of suffering. Jesus himself, when facing his own moments of distress, demonstrated confidence in God's power, which enabled him to confront crises ^[9]. He encouraged his disciples to trust God when they were troubled by his impending departure, assuring them that only such trust would sustain them ^[9].

Biblical texts also connect trust with other theological concepts such as hope and assurance. Hope in God is described as being "in God's promises," "in the mercy of God," and is a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace and the Scriptures ^[5]. This hope is characterized as "good," "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" ^[5]. Assurance, defined as a "fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt," is linked to the resurrection of Jesus as a pledge of God's truthfulness ^[6]. This "full assurance of faith" and "full assurance of understanding" provide an unwavering conviction in the declarations of Scripture ^[6].

The nature of God's protection is also a significant aspect of trusting Him in difficult times. God's protection is described as indispensable, seasonable, unfailing, effectual, uninterrupted, encouraging, and perpetual ^[7]. This protection is afforded to those who hearken to God, returning sinners, the perfect in heart, and the poor ^[7]. Even when facing overwhelming feelings, recalling God's mighty acts in the past can assure believers of His commitment ^[11].

In practical terms, Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart," specifying that this trust should not be placed in human wisdom, riches, or self-righteousness, but solely in God ^[16]. While earthly blessings like money can be uncertain, those who trust in God are said to flourish ^[15]. The very name "Hosah" means "trusting," and "Betah" means "confidence," indicating the deep cultural and spiritual significance of this concept in ancient Israel ^{[4, 8]}.

Sources

Psalms “Psalms 56:11 (BSB) — in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
1 Timothy “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. -- 1 Timothy 4:10”
Nahum “Nahum 1:7 (YLT) — Good <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah for a strong place in a day of distress. And He knoweth those trusting in Him.”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hosah — trusting”
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 ”
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: Protection — God is able to afford -- 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. God is faithful to afford -- 1Th 5:23,24; 2Th 3:3. Of God is Indispensable. -- Ps 127:1. Seasonable. -- Ps 46:1. Unfailing. -- De 31:6; Jos 1:5. Effectual. -- Joh 10:28-30; 2Co 12:9. Uninterrupted. -- Ps 121:3. Encouraging. -- Isa 41:10; 50:7. Perpetual. -- Ps 121:8. Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves. -- Jdj 7:7; 1Sa 17:45,50; 2Ch 14:11. Is afforded to Those who hearken to God. -- Pr 1:33. Returning sinners. -- Job 22:23,25. The perfect in heart. -- 2Ch 16:9. The poor. -- Ps 14:6; 72:12-14.”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Betah — confidence”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 14:1: 14:1-31 Jesus provided answers to his disciples’ many spoken and unspoken concerns. 14:1 Jesus had himself been troubled (Greek tarassō) on three occasions (11:33; 12:27; 13:21). His confidence in God’s power made it possible for him to face these crises. Faced with the upsetting words of 13:33, the disciples confronted similar feelings. • Trust (or believe, or have faith) in God: Only trusting God would help them through his hour of death.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 7:1: O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust,.... The psalmist expresses his interest in God as his covenant God, and his trust and confidence in him; and with these he sets out as the stay of his soul, and his bulwark against the fears of his enemies; and he does not say that he had trusted in God, or would for the future trust in him; but that he did trust in him, and continued to do so. And God is to be trusted in at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and desertion; and these the psalmist premises to his petition, which follows, as an encouragement to him to”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 77:3: 77:3 I think of God: God’s people inevitably face difficult times, but recalling his mighty acts at the beginning of their relationship assures them of God’s commitment. • Feeling overwhelmed, the psalmist is unable to deal with the crisis (142:3; 143:4).”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 115:9: In these verses, I. We are earnestly exhorted, all of us, to repose our confidence in God, and not suffer our confidence in him to be shaken by the heathens' insulting over us upon the account of our present distresses. It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that do trust in them, a help to furnish them with and forward them in that which is good, and a shield to fortify them against and protect them from every thing that is evil. Therefore, 1. Let Israel trust in the Lord; the body”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 62:8: Trust in him at all times, ye people,.... Of the house of Israel, as the Targum; or of God, as Aben Ezra; all that are Israelites indeed, and are the Lord's covenant people; these are exhorted and encouraged to trust in him; not in a creature, nor in any outward thing, in riches, wisdom, strength, birth, privileges, the law, and the works of it; in their own righteousness, in their hearts, in themselves or in others; but in the Lord only, both for temporal and spiritual blessings: the Targum is, "in his Word"; his essential Word, by whom the world was made, and who, i”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 31:1: In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,.... Not in any creature, but in the Lord Jehovah; the Targum, "in thy Word"; the essential Logos, or Word, which was in the beginning with God, and was God, and so an equal object of faith, trust, and confidence, as Jehovah the Father: this act includes a trusting all with God, body and soul, and the welfare of them, in time, and to eternity; and a trusting him for all things, both of providence and grace, and for both grace and glory, and is a continued act; for the psalmist does not say, "I have trusted", or "I will trust", but "I”
Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 11:28: 11:28 Money can be a blessing from God, but it is uncertain. The godly trust in God and flourish (see Ps 1).”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,.... Not in a creature, the best, the holiest, and the highest; not in any creature enjoyment, as riches, strength, and wisdom; nor in any outward privilege, arising from natural descent and education; not in a man's self, in his own heart, which is deceitful; nor in any works of righteousness done by him; not in a profession of religion, or the duties of it, ever so well performed; not in frames, nor in graces, and the exercise of them; no, not in faith or trust itself: but in the Lord, the object of all grace, and in him only;”

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