Trust in Providence and God's Guidance in Scripture
Trust in Providence and God's Guidance in Scripture
The concept of trust in God's providence is deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasizing reliance on God's sovereignty and care over all creation. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, providence refers to God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes [1]. This understanding is supported by various biblical passages, such as Psalms 104:14 and Acts 17:28, which highlight God's providential care over the natural world and human affairs.
Trust in God's providence is encouraged throughout the Bible. Proverbs 3:5 advises believers to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome" [6]. This trust is not limited to general providence but extends to specific aspects of life, including guidance and salvation. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that trust is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love [2]. The Psalmist expresses trust in God's word, stating, "I trust in thy word" [9].
The biblical basis for trust in God's providence is closely tied to the understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people. According to John Gill's commentary on Jeremiah 17:7, those who trust in the Lord are blessed because they rely on His Word and character [10]. This trust is not passive but is expressed through faith and obedience. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on 2 Corinthians 3:4, confidence toward God is rooted in Christ and is essential for the ministry and service of believers [8].
The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of trust in God's providence. Ephesians 3:12 highlights that through faith in Christ, believers have "boldness and confidence" to approach God [5]. The writer of Hebrews also expresses trust in God, quoting Scripture to affirm his confidence [7].
In Christian tradition, trust in God's providence is seen as a vital aspect of the believer's life. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various aspects of God's providence, including preserving, providing for, protecting, and delivering saints [3]. This understanding is reflected in the writings of various Christian commentators, who emphasize the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and care.
The practice of waiting upon God is also closely related to trust in His providence. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that waiting upon God is encouraged in Scripture as a means of seeking guidance, salvation, and other blessings [4]. This waiting is not passive but is characterized by active trust and expectation.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- 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: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
- 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”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:12 (BSB) — In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 3:5 (Geneva1599) — Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 2:13 (Geneva1599) — And againe, I will put my trust in him. And againe, Beholde, here am I, and the children which God hath giuen me.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:4: And--Greek, "But." "Such confidence, however (namely, of our 'sufficiency,' Co2 3:5-6; Co2 2:16 --to which he reverts after the parenthesis--as ministers of the New Testament, 'not hinting,' Co2 4:1), we have through Christ (not through ourselves, compare Co2 3:18) toward God" (that is, in our relation to God and His work, the ministry committed by Him to us, for which we must render an account to Him). Confidence toward God is solid and real, as looking to Him for the strength needed now, and also for the reward of grace to be given hereafter. C”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:40: So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me,.... Saying there is no help and salvation for him in God; asking where is his God, in whom he trusted? and where is the promise of salvation, on which he depended? To which an easy and ready answer might be given, when the mercies and salvation of God came unto him, and he clearly appeared to be interested in them; see Psa 3:2; for I trust in thy word: in Christ the essential Word, the object of trust and confidence; or in the written word, it being divinely inspired and dictated by the Spirit of God, an”
- 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”