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Trusting God in Times of Uncertainty and Doubt

Trusting God in times of uncertainty and doubt is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, often presented as a foundational aspect of faith. The concept of trust (or belief, or faith) in God is seen as essential for navigating crises and finding confidence [10]. The Bible frequently exhorts believers to place their confidence in God alone, rather than in human strength, worldly possessions, or personal achievements [14, 15].

The Psalms, in particular, offer numerous expressions of trust in God amidst distress. The psalmist declares, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" [2]. This sentiment reflects a conviction that God is a refuge and strength for the afflicted [7]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 31:1, notes that trusting in the Lord involves committing one's entire being—body and soul—and all aspects of life, both temporal and eternal, into God's care. This trust is not a one-time event but a continuous act [12]. Similarly, on Psalm 7:1, Gill emphasizes that God is to be trusted at all times, including periods of affliction, temptation, and spiritual desertion [13]. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 115:9, contrasts the folly of trusting in "dead images" with the wisdom of trusting in the "living God," who acts as both a "help" and a "shield" [14]. David's prayers often express his confidence in God, repeating his profession of dependence with "pleasure and grateful variety" [16].

The New Testament further develops this theme, linking trust in God with boldness and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 states that "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence" [3]. This boldness is described as a characteristic of saints, produced by trust in God and the fear of God [9]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [4]. This "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) is a complete faith in God that leaves no room for doubt [4]. The "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) signifies an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture's declarations and a joyful steadfastness in one's grasp of truth [4].

The concept of hope is closely intertwined with trust. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies hope as being placed in God, in Christ, in God's promises, and in His mercy [6]. This hope is described as a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, the Word of God, the comfort of the Scriptures, the Gospel, and faith [6]. It is characterized as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed [6].

Doubt, in contrast to faith and trust, is presented as problematic. Romans 14:23 states, "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin" [1]. This verse highlights the importance of acting out of conviction and faith rather than uncertainty. However, the experience of doubt is also acknowledged. Peter's declaration of belief in Jesus, as described by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 6:69, suggests that he might have been fortifying himself against "speculative difficulties" and a "recoil from his Lord's harsh statements" [11]. This indicates that even those with strong faith can experience seasons when their faith is "tried to the utmost," and truth seems to be slipping away [11].

Jesus himself, though troubled on several occasions, faced crises with confidence in God's power [10]. He encouraged his disciples, who were similarly troubled by his words, to "trust (or believe, or have faith) in God" as the only way to navigate his impending death [10]. This instruction underscores that trust in God is not merely an abstract theological concept but a practical necessity for enduring difficult circumstances.

The biblical understanding of trusting God is not a passive resignation but an active reliance on His character and promises. It involves acknowledging God as one's covenant God and placing complete confidence in Him [13]. This trust is rooted in a spiritual knowledge of God and an understanding that salvation is found only in Him [17]. Those who trust in the Lord are considered blessed, committing their entire lives and eternal souls to Him [17]. The names "Hosah" and "Betah" in Hitchcock's Bible Names, meaning "trusting" and "confidence" respectively, further illustrate the embedded nature of these concepts within biblical thought [5, 8].

Sources

  1. Romans “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. -- Romans 14:23”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 56:11 (BSB) — in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
  3. Ephesians “Ephesians 3:12 (BSB) — In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hosah — trusting”
  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: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
  8. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Betah — confidence”
  9. 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”
  10. 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.”
  11. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 6:69: And we believe,--(See on Mat 16:16). Peter seems to have added this not merely--probably not so much--as an assurance to his Lord of his heart's belief in Him, as for the purpose of fortifying himself and his faithful brethren against that recoil from his Lord's harsh statements which he was probably struggling against with difficulty at that moment. Note.--There are seasons when one's faith is tried to the utmost, particularly by speculative difficulties; the spiritual eye then swims, and all truth seems ready to depart from us. At such seasons, a clear”
  12. 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”
  13. 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”
  14. 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”
  15. 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;”
  16. 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”
  17. Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 17:7: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord,.... In the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, in Christ the essential Word of God; see Psa 2:12 who have a spiritual knowledge of him, and so trust in him, Psa 9:10 who have seen the vanity and emptiness of all other objects of trust, there being no salvation in them, only in him; who betake themselves to him as their only refuge; lay hold, rest, and rely upon him, as their Saviour; commit their all unto him; trust him with all their concerns, respecting life and salvation, and with their immortal souls; and expect all fro”
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