II. Trust

Following God Before We See the Way Ahead

Knowing God’s holiness and authority leads us to take Him seriously; knowing His faithfulness and grace enables us to rely on Him even when our understanding is limited.

When responding to God’s call, we often want to know the whole road ahead: what results a decision will bring, how long we will need to wait, and what to do when difficulties arise. Preparation, planning, and understanding the situation are all necessary, but we cannot control every outcome.

Trust enables us to fulfil our responsibilities according to the truth God has already revealed, while entrusting to Him a future that remains unclear and whose outcomes we cannot guarantee. We rely on God’s faithfulness, the salvation He has accomplished in Christ, and the promises He has revealed.

1. Trust Has an Object and a Foundation

God commanded Abraham to leave his country, his relatives, and his father’s house and go to the place He would show him. He also gave promises concerning offspring, blessing, and blessing for all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1–7). Hebrews 11:8 explains that Abraham obeyed and went out by faith, even though he did not yet know where he was going.

Abraham did not know what lay ahead, but he had already received God’s command and promise. His action was grounded in God’s revelation. The fact that Abraham did not yet know where he was going does not mean that every step into the unknown can be called living by faith.

Today, we also need to distinguish responsibilities Scripture has already made clear from arrangements that still require careful judgement. Trusting God leads us to obey the truth we understand, while being willing to learn the facts, listen to counsel, and entrust to Him the future we cannot control.

We may seek God in prayer and express our desires, but we cannot assume that God has guaranteed every outcome we hope for. The love God has revealed in Christ gives trust a deeper foundation. Even when we cannot explain our present circumstances, through the redemption He has accomplished and the promises He has revealed, we can come to recognise His faithfulness anew and continue to rely on Him.

2. Trust Grows Through Waiting and Correction

Abraham’s faith was not fully mature when he was first called. In Egypt, he concealed his marriage to Sarah out of fear. While they waited for offspring, Sarah proposed having a child through her servant Hagar, and Abraham agreed to her plan (Genesis 12:10–20; 16:1–6). These choices affected others and brought pain into their relationships.

God’s faithfulness continues to be revealed amid human weakness, but we still need to face our choices and their consequences. We cannot call wrongdoing a necessary means of growth simply because God later showed grace.

Waiting often reveals what we actually rely on. When results are slow to come, we may become anxious, try to control others, or use methods we already know are wrong. Trust needs to shape our response to these specific struggles, making us willing to hold to the truth that is already clear rather than crossing boundaries in our haste to obtain results.

In the test involving the offering of Isaac, Hebrews 11:17–19 shows that Abraham still believed God’s promise concerning Isaac and considered God able to raise the dead. Genesis also records that God, through His angel, stopped Abraham from harming Isaac and provided a ram to be offered as a burnt offering in his place (Genesis 22:11–13).

This event has a unique place in the history of redemption. It cannot serve as grounds for anyone today to demand that others harm their children to prove their faith. It shows us that Abraham continued to rely on the God who had given the promise through an intensely difficult test. We, in turn, need to examine the demands we hear in light of the truth Scripture has already revealed.

Growing in trust involves waiting and repentance. Acknowledging that our judgement may be mistaken enables us to accept correction, face our responsibilities afresh, and continue seeking God’s guidance.

3. Trust Shapes the Next Step in Ordinary Life

Ruth’s experience shows us that trust can also take shape in ordinary relationships and actions. After her husband died, she chose to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem, saying, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, excerpt). Later, Boaz spoke of her taking refuge under the LORD’s wings (Ruth 2:12). Her choice expressed both loyalty to Naomi and a willingness to turn to the God of Israel.

There is no record of Ruth receiving a specific command as Abraham did, nor did she know in advance that she would have a place in the genealogy of David and Christ. In her particular circumstances, she accompanied Naomi, gleaned, and took responsibility for daily life, while also receiving protection and provision from others.

Her experience helps us understand that trusting God does not require an extraordinary experience at every step. Taking seriously the responsibilities that are already clear, making good use of available opportunities, and being willing to accept help can all be expressions of a life of trust in God.

For us, the next step may also be ordinary. For example, when a work arrangement is still uncertain, we can first learn what it actually requires, discuss it with our family, and diligently carry out our present responsibilities. An unclear future does not prevent responsible action today.

We cannot, however, treat Ruth’s later experience as a universal guarantee, as though loyal companionship or courageous action will inevitably lead to an ideal marriage and life. Trust is still grounded in God Himself. We cannot judge whether someone trusts God solely by whether their story ends as Ruth’s did.

4. Trust Allows Room for Fear and Calls for a Practical Response

The psalmist says, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). These words acknowledge that fear is real and direct our response to God when we are afraid.

People of faith may still feel uneasy, weary, or confused. When facing illness, financial pressure, changes in relationships, and an uncertain future, we can bring these feelings before the Lord. We do not need to make ourselves appear strong before we begin to pray.

Seeking treatment, learning about the situation, listening to counsel, and discussing practical arrangements do not conflict with relying on God. Acknowledging our need for help can itself be a response that lets go of our desire for control and faces reality honestly.

Trust enables us to ask God for the outcome we hope for while acknowledging that we do not yet know how He will lead. Even when events do not unfold as we wish, we can still grieve, seek help, and look for a way to continue living in His grace.

Following when we cannot yet see the way ahead or predict the outcome means continuing to rely on the Lord within the limits of our understanding, acting on the truth we understand, and entrusting to Him the outcomes we cannot control. This also helps us see our own place more clearly: we need to act responsibly, yet we cannot take God’s place.