TRUST: A Firm Belief in the Reliability, Truth, Ability or Strength of Someone

As humans we are never asked by God to believe a certain way, do a certain thing or live a certain life. We were created to be, are expected to be, and even commanded by our Creator to be what He created, but never asked. Consider Genesis 1:26,27,28,29 (also Genesis chapters 2 and 3). God made man upright, but we have invented and sought out our own plans and purposes (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Therefore, we truthfully and accurately describe all of sinful humanity as totally corrupt and depraved (1 Timothy 6:5).

But since God does not ask things of us, we can know what He expects of us and what He commands us to do. Consider the command of Psalm 4:5, "put your trust in the Lord." Also Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." And this command is to be done continuously without end, "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:4, and note that Isaiah often prophesied about salvation for believing Gentiles along with believing Jews, so no one can claim these words are only for Jews - Isaiah 49:6). Therefore, all people everywhere are commanded to trust God in believing repentance (Acts 17:30). There is no option, and it is our sin if we fail to do it (James 4:17).

Faith glorifies God, since it rests all confidence on Him who is trust-worthy. To know what we are to trust God for, and what a trustworthy God we trust in, it is absolutely necessary that we read the Bible in some way. The Bible plainly teaches that we are saved by faith, and just so we don't despair, God has told us that this faith is His gracious gift through Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:8; James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:1). Praise God that we don't have to rely on our own sinful minds or devices, but we must, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can rely solely on the faithfulness of God according to His Word. Amen.