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Trust and Obedience in God's Sovereignty

Trust in God's sovereignty and obedience to His commands are presented in scripture as intertwined aspects of Christian conduct [4]. The concept of trust involves a confident reliance on God, as seen in Psalm 4:5, which exhorts believers to "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD" [1]. This trust allows believers to approach God with "boldness and confidence" through faith in Christ [3, 5].

Obedience to God is commanded throughout scripture, encompassing adherence to His voice, law, and commandments [2]. Deuteronomy 13:4 states that obedience is commanded, and Hebrews 11:6 indicates that it is impossible without faith [2]. The Old Testament links obedience with wisdom, suggesting that "obeying the Lord is the essence of wisdom" [12]. This is not merely external compliance but involves faithfulness and loyalty to God [8].

The New Testament further emphasizes obedience, particularly to Christ and the Gospel [2]. Romans 1:5 and 6:17 speak of "obeying the gospel," while 2 Corinthians 10:5 mentions "obeying Christ" [2]. Christ himself serves as an example of obedience, as highlighted in passages like Matthew 3:15 and Philippians 2:5-8, where he humbled himself and became obedient [2]. Angels are also depicted as engaged in obedience to God [2].

Obedience is considered a clear indicator of one's relationship with Christ. As 1 John 2:3-6 explains, "Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him" [9]. This obedience fosters a growing love for God and a deeper knowledge of Him, leading believers to live in union with God, mirroring Jesus's life [9]. Matthew Henry, commenting on 1 John 3:23, identifies the primary commandments as believing in Jesus Christ and loving one another [11].

The steadfastness of God, demonstrated in His purposes and ways, provides a foundation for human steadfastness [7]. God's faithfulness is unwavering, as seen in Numbers 23:19 and Daniel 6:26 [7]. This divine steadfastness secures the believer's own steadfastness through God's power, presence, and trust in Him [7]. John Gill, in his commentary on Hosea 2:18, notes that Christ's faithfulness ensures the inviolability of the marriage contract with His church, making believers faithful to Him [14]. Similarly, Gill on Psalm 89:23 speaks of God's faithfulness and mercy being with Christ, extending to His people through Him [15].

Trust in God's sovereignty is also linked to holy boldness. This boldness is exemplified by Christ and is a characteristic of saints [5]. It is produced by trust in God, the fear of God, and faithfulness to God [5]. This confidence allows believers to approach God in prayer, knowing that He hears them when they ask "according to his will" [13]. The "confidence" or "boldness" in prayer mentioned in 1 John 5:14 results from knowing one has eternal life [13]. This implies that a believer's will should align with God's will for prayers to be accepted [13].

The unity of God serves as a ground for exclusive obedience and supreme love for Him [6]. Deuteronomy 4:39-40 and 6:4-5 emphasize that because God is one, He alone is to be obeyed and loved supremely [6]. This concept is asserted by God Himself, Christ, Moses, and the Apostles [6]. The righteousness of God, encompassing His infinite rectitude and the perfection of His nature, ensures that His will is the "eternal rule of equity" and that His government is just [10].

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 4:5 (NASB) — Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
  3. Ephesians “Ephesians 3:12 (BSB) — In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  5. 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”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:18: 103:18 To obey God means to be faithful and loyal to him.”
  9. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
  10. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:137: Here is, 1. The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in every thing acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it. 2. The righteousness of his government. He rules the world by his providence, according to the principles of justice, and never did, nor ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures: Upright are thy judgments, the promises and threatenings an”
  11. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:23: The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments, and pleasing God, as the qualification of effectual petitioners in and with Heaven, here suitably proceeds, I. To represent to us what those commandments primarily and summarily are; they are comprehended in this double one: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, Jo1 3:23. To believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ is, 1. To discern what he is, according to his name, to have an intellectual view of his perso”
  12. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 4:6: 4:6 Obey . . . wisdom and intelligence: Wisdom is linked to obedience—obeying the Lord is the essence of wisdom (see 10:12-13; Prov 1:7; 9:10; 15:33). If God’s people were wise and prudent enough to keep the Lord’s perfect covenant, all the world would marvel.”
  13. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:14: the confidence--boldness (Jo1 4:17) in prayer, which results from knowing that we have eternal life (Jo1 5:13; Jo1 3:19, Jo1 3:22). according to his will--which is the believer's will, and which is therefore no restraint to his prayers. In so far as God's will is not our will, we are not abiding in faith, and our prayers are not accepted. ALFORD well says, If we knew God's will thoroughly, and submitted to it heartily, it would be impossible for us to ask anything for the spirit or for the body which He should not perform; it is this ideal state whic”
  14. Hosea (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hosea 2:18: I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness,.... Which lies in keeping the marriage contract inviolable; Christ will never suffer his faithfulness to fail, nor break his covenant; as he is faithful to his Father that appointed him, so he is, and will be, to his church and people, and to every believer, to whom he is espoused; and it is he that makes them faithful unto him, and gives them faith to believe in him, receive, embrace, own, and acknowledge him as their husband: and in this sense some understand it, rendering it, "in faith" (z); so the Targum and others.”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:23: But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,.... The "faithfulness" of God was and is with Christ, in performing promises made to him respecting his work, and strength to do it, as man, and the glory that should follow; and also those made to his people in him, relating to grace here, and happiness hereafter: and though there was no "mercy" shown to Christ, as the surety of his people, but he was dealt with in strict justice; yet, as Mediator of the covenant, the special mercy of God is with him, even every blessing of it, called "the sure mercies of David"; a”
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