Trusting God's Goodness Amidst Difficulties and Uncertainties Biblically
Trusting God's goodness amidst difficulties and uncertainties is a recurring theme throughout biblical literature, often presented as a foundational aspect of faith. This trust is not merely a passive hope but an active reliance on God's character and promises [1]. The prophet Nahum declares, "Good is Jehovah for a strong place in a day of distress. And He knoweth those trusting in Him" [2]. This highlights God's protective nature and His intimate knowledge of those who depend on Him.
The concept of trust in God is frequently linked with doing good and abiding in His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3 exhorts, "Trust Yahweh and do good. Abide in the land and feed on faithfulness" [3]. This suggests that trust in God is not divorced from righteous living. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs 3:5, emphasizes that this trust should be placed solely in the Lord, not in human strength, riches, or even one's own righteousness [8]. He further elaborates on Jeremiah 17:7, stating that the blessed person is one who trusts in the Lord, specifically in "the Word of the Lord," referring to Christ [9]. This trust involves acknowledging the futility of other objects of reliance and committing all aspects of life and salvation to Him [9].
Biblical passages also connect trust with assurance and hope. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true [4]. This assurance, described as a "fullness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt," is produced by faith and made full by hope [4, 6]. This hope is characterized as "good," "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" [1]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, and rooted in God's promises and the Scriptures [1].
Even in affliction, believers are encouraged to trust in God. The Psalms frequently portray God as a refuge and strength for the afflicted, who comforts, preserves, and delivers them [5]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 115:9, contrasts the folly of trusting in "dead images" with the wisdom of trusting in the "living God," who acts as a "help and a shield" [10]. This confidence in God's power and goodness is a recurring motif, as seen in Psalm 65:6, which attributes God's control over nature and nations as grounds for such trust [11]. The presence of God, particularly Christ, "in the midst of" His people, is presented as a mighty and encouraging antidote to fears and faintings, providing support, supply, protection, and defense [12]. This active waiting upon God for mercy, pardon, salvation, guidance, and protection is considered good and is something God calls His people to do [7].
Sources
- 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 ”
- 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.”
- Psalms “Psalms 37:3 (LEB) — Trust Yahweh and do good. Abide in the land and feed on faithfulness.”
- 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: 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”
- 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- 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;”
- 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”
- 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 (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.”
- Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty Every word carries in it something very encouraging to the church and people of God; and is an antidote against those fears and faintings they are subject to; Christ "is in the midst of" them; near at hand to support and supply them, to assist and strengthen them, to protect and defend them; he is not only near by his essential presence, which is everywhere; and by his providential presence, which is concerned with all his creatures; but by his gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people; and which gives th”