What does the Bible say about trust?

Trust in the Psalms

• Psalm 9:10, "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you"
• Psalm 13:5, "But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation."
• Psalm 20:7, "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God."
• Psalm 37:3, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security."
• Psalm 56:3-4, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me?"
• Psalm 62:7, "On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God."
• Psalm 91:1-2, "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, `My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'"
• Psalm 143:8, "Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Trust in Proverbs

• Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
• Proverbs 28:26, "Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely."

Blessing for those who trust in God

• Isaiah 26:3-4, trust the Lord forever and have peace
• Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."
• Nahum 1:7, the Lord protects those who take refuge in him

Trust and belief

• John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."
• 2 Corinthians 3:4-6, competence comes from God
• 1 Timothy 4:10, we have hope in the living God
• Hebrews 13:5-6, the Lord helps us

Sermon ideas about trust

The classic distinction between belief and trust (the two main elements of faith) is that belief attaches to presumed facts. I believe that George Washington was the first American president. But trust attaches, mostly, to persons. I believe in God. Belief may be accurate or inaccurate. Trust may be justified or unjustified. Belief attaches mostly to persons. I may also trust some things. I trust this bridge to hold my car and all the other cars on it. But even then, I am actually trusting architects, builders, and inspectors.

In Scripture, believers often express trust in God's faithfulness. God will not forsake us. God will not abandon us. God's love is steadfast. Belief in God's faithfulness often depends on a knowledge of God's mighty acts within the history of salvation. God led us out of Egypt. God led us to the promised land. We may therefore trust God to save us again.

Images of a trusted God often suggest safety. God is our refuge, our fortress, our stronghold, our everlasting rock.

Because believers trust God, when life goes wrong, believers are dismayed. Where is God? Why did God not prevent this? How long will God be silent? Believers lament because they trust and because their trust has been shaken.

Trust in God is a constant Scriptural theme. But in the New Testament, we find a special emphasis on trusting Jesus Christ. ("Believe in God, believe also in me.") Over the centuries, Christian confessions have emphasized that Jesus Christ is the immediate "target" of our trust. We cling to Jesus Christ, our Savior. We believe in "Christ and all his benefits." Of these benefits, justification and sanctification predominate.

Trust is a staple of a good life. We trust our spouse to be faithful, our friends to be loyal, our parents and children to be honorable. We trust airline pilots to be sober and skilled, school officials to be public-minded and honest, police officers to be humane and just. When they are not, they break our trust. In countries with corrupt governments, citizens may be at a loss to know whom they can trust — a condition that naturally generates suspicion, fear, and confusion. Trust is one of the most important commodities in any democratic society, which makes the loss of it so damaging.