Trust in God's Good and Perfect Will
Trust in God's good and perfect will is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize reliance on God's character and promises. The Psalms frequently exhort believers to trust in the Lord, encouraging them to "put your trust in Yahweh" (Psalms 4:5) [1] and to "trust in the LORD and do good" (Psalms 37:3) [2]. This trust is not blind but is grounded in the understanding of God's faithfulness and goodness.
The concept of trust is closely tied to faith, which is described as the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true, with trust being its primary idea [4]. The Bible encourages believers to have faith in God, emphasizing that He is faithful and worthy of trust. For instance, the resurrection of Jesus is seen as an assurance or pledge that God's revelation is true and worthy of acceptance (Acts 17:31) [3].
The will of God is presented as a standard for believers, with the expectation that they will strive to do good works in accordance with it [7]. Trusting in God's will involves confidence in His sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances are challenging. As expressed in Psalms, believers are encouraged to rejoice and shout for joy when they put their trust in God, indicating a deep-seated confidence in His salvation and care [8].
The nature of God's will is described as perfect, and believers are called to aim for perfection in their devotion to Him [6]. This perfection implies entire devotedness and purity, with the understanding that it is God who enables believers to be perfect in every good work to do His will [7].
In times of uncertainty, believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith without wavering, based on the faithfulness of God who has promised to fulfill His purposes [9]. This steadfastness is secured by trust in God, the intercession of Christ, and the power of God [5].
Sources
- Psalms “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh. -- Psalms 4:5”
- Psalms “Psalms 37:3 (NASB) — Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate 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 ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perfection — Is of God -- Ps 18:32; 138:8. All saints have, in Christ -- 1Co 2:6; Php 3:15; Col 2:10. God's perfection the standard of -- Mt 5:48. Implies Entire devotedness. -- Mt 19:21. Purity and holiness in speech. -- Jas 3:2. Saints commanded to aim at -- Ge 17:1; De 18:13. Saints claim not -- Job 9:20; Php 3:12. Saints follow after -- Pr 4:18; Php 3:12. Ministers appointed to lead saints to -- Eph 4:12; Col 1:28. Exhortation to -- 2Co 7:1; 13:11. Impossibility of attaining to -- 2Ch 6:36; Ps 119:96. The word of God is The rule of. -- Jas 1:25. Designed to lead ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:21: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "in every good work and word"; as in Th2 2:17 every good work is to be done: a good work is what is done in obedience to the command of God, and in faith, and from a principle of love, in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God; and every such work should be diligently attended to; such as concern God, and are of a moral nature, or of positive institution; and such as concern each other, whether as men or Christians: and the will of God is the rule of eve”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 5:11: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice,.... Who trust not in themselves, in their own hearts, in their righteousness, or riches, or strength; but in the name, righteousness, and strength of the Lord: who betake themselves to him, and put all their confidence in him: let them rejoice in the salvation of the Lord, and in hope of eternal glory and happiness; let them even shout for joy: not only rejoice inwardly, but express their joy externally, with their voices, and in the loudest manner; and that always, the matter and foundation of a believer's joy”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:21: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,.... Either in the grace or doctrine of faith, or in the profession of both; See Gill on Heb 4:14. For he is faithful that promised; that is God; and it is true of Father, Son, and Spirit; but God the Father may be more especially designed: he is a promising God, and is known to be so by his people; he is eminently and emphatically the Promiser; and all other promisers, and the promises made by them, signify little; but the promises of God are exceeding great and precious, very ancient, free, and uncond”