We are not very trusting creatures. For the most part, this is a conditioned response. We have all been burned by someone or something. Our environment is one with many factors that we cannot count on to act for our well-being. As such we are cautious. Furthermore, unless we were born blind, we depend on our eyes to determine reality for us. If we can’t see it, it is hard to take it seriously. This is true for germs, radiation, the future. We can be schooled in all three and still not act appropriately. Because of this, God, who is unseen, is a problem for us. One more factor is the apparent damage sinful nature has done to us. As originally created, human beings were designed to be the visible interface between God and the rest of the universe. Now, we can’t even come to God in faith without considerable outside help.
Despite our situation, God wants faith/trust from us. Trust results in obedience. Adam and Eve knew the one thing required of them. They willfully needed to leave alone the Tree of the Knowledge and Good and Evil. They did not. Why? They didn’t trust God’s character. Perhaps their Creator was holding out on them.
Abraham was given special blessings because he acted in trust, most of the time. As their relationship moved along, Abraham had more proof that this being who was interacting with him was good on His word and had Abraham’s well-being in mind. Abraham benefitted and God was pleased.
We have a whole chapter of the Bible, Hebrews 11, that lists the Old Testament people who had faith/trust in God despite not being able to foresee the results, or see God, and with limited experience. There are more stories when we throw in those people who did not trust God.
What exactly are we asked to trust? Let’s start with the existence of God. I think there is overwhelming corroborating evidence for God’s existence: a universe with a beginning, the need for exquisite order at the beginning, the mathematical nature of the universe, the fine-tuning of many things to allow life to be here, the beauty of the universe, the complexity of living things, the information stored in DNA. It is a logical conclusion. Add to it that an unguided explanation of the universe doesn’t work without accepting some unproven and beyond unlikely jumps.
Then there is the recorded evidence of God’s interaction with mankind. I think that there is powerful evidence for what narrative to look at. The evidence supporting pagan, Hindu, Buddhist, and other Eastern narratives doesn’t seem to exist. These narratives are just part of a culture, but not a part of reality. The recorded interaction with the Jewish ancestors and later the arrival of Jesus is a different story. This includes big miracles with eye-witnesses, specific prophecies and fulfillment of those prophecies, and even archeological evidence (Like the Shroud of Turin). Further, I don’t find evidence for the non-New Testament spins on Jesus and the plans of God. Islam’s so called proof is super weak. Again, it depends on culture and a little intimidation to carry it forward. The Mormon adoption of the poor fake, The Book of Mormon, lacks credibility. But the New Testament finds consistency with the Old Testament and again is backed by miracles including the conversion and life of Paul. This is logical and not yet trust. Other things need trust.
I need to trust God when He communicates that I have an immortal nature, because what I can observe is physical death. Everybody wants this, but it tends to be surreal at best to them. Some people have Near Death Experiences, that appears to help. I can say that I know that I have eternal life, because God has shaped my thought through His Word so much that I can’t find the edge of my faith on this topic. But it is, in fact, faith. I haven’t experienced it yet. God would like a great faith on a number of topics because He knows He will deliver, He understands that we can’t see these things, He knows His character, and the lack of trust it at the heart of the whole division between God and His creation. That hurts. This kind of faith He seeks to develop. The powerful nature of His Word does that.
What else are we asked to trust? We are asked to trust that God will hear our prayers. We need to trust that He can do something about our petitions. We are asked to trust the wisdom of His decisions even if they take time to play out or seem to be a non-answer or negative answer.
We are asked to trust that He can work through us once we are a part of the Body of Christ.https://givingchrist.com/2024/11/13/understanding-the-term-body-of-christ/ That means that we can and should step out of our comfort zone when it comes to serving Him. We are asked to trust God’s answer for why the world has so much evil and heartache in this world https://givingchrist.com/2017/08/03/dealing-with-the-shock-of-evil/ . We are asked to trust that God’s way to live is the best. It is certainly different than our natural conclusions.
God rewards those who trust Him.
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.Psalm 25:3 (ESV)
It is easy to see why trust is necessary at some point. It is also easy to see, given the history of our species, why God really wants our trust.
Giving Christ 