“In God we trust” is emblazoned in green ink on our American currency. This phrase became our national motto in 1956. After 9–11, it became popular to sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch at baseball games.
The idea of trusting in God is woven into the fabric of American history, despite the continuing efforts of atheists to remove all mention of God associated with anything government-related. But is historical revision really necessary? I mean, does America really trust in God?
I’m not talking about atheists or agnostics or the more current category of the nones. I’m wondering about those who confess a belief in God and say they trust in God.
Belief isn’t trust
Trust in God isn’t a matter of belief—what a person believes about God. It’s a confidence in God and His nature (Hebrews 11:6). Many people say they believe in God, in Jesus, in the Bible, have faith, and so on. But that belief doesn’t always translate into trust.
In the book of James, we’re told that demons believe in God. They know He exists, but they don’t trust in Him; they fear Him! (James 2:19)
Belief doesn’t always translate into trust
The Bible is full of examples of people who have a belief in God but don’t trust in Him. One book of the Bible illustrates this well—the book of Judges. Thankfully, we find many examples of people who believe in and genuinely trust God throughout the Bible.
The obvious examples
Noah built an ark—a huge ship—because he heeded God’s warning and trusted His guidance (Genesis 6:11–22). God warned Noah of a cataclysmic flood. He believed God even though Noah had never experienced either rain or flooding.
Noah’s obedience to God showed his trust in God—a personal and complete trust.
Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, became the father of many nations—people groups—because he trusted in God. His trust in God transcends mere belief as seen by his willingness to slay the son God promised to give him (Hebrews 11:8–12, 17–19).
God considered Abraham to be righteous and a friend, not because of a mere belief, but his complete and personal trust in God (James 2:23).
Genuine faith is a simple, personal, confident trust in God
King David trusted God in a very personal way, as expressed through the many Psalms he wrote (Psalm 23). He trusted God through many difficulties, betrayals, and even when he utterly failed God (2 Samuel 12:7–13; Psalm 51).
These three men led extraordinary lives and appear to have extraordinary faith. They did. They do. But this is the very type of faith—a simple, personal, confident trust in God—any person can have that exemplifies true faith in God.
Faith, trust, and risk
Faith, belief, and trust are common words in the Bible and are often used interchangeably. But their true biblical meanings are best understood and illustrated through the lives of people such as Noah, Abraham, and David.
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews gives many examples of these people and others, whose genuine faith is described in Hebrews 11:6 —
No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Genuine faith involves an element of trust, and trust is always a risk. It requires a commitment to move beyond the fear of failure.
Genuine faith involves an element of trust and trust is always a risk
Faith in the face of failure
Genuine faith—a commitment of trust—is often clarified and confirmed by what appears to be a failure at first. Consider Abraham, who was known as the father of those who live by faith (Romans 4:10–12 GW).
Abraham was promised a son, but he and his wife tried to make this happen through Sarah’s servant Hagar, and it was a colossal failure (Genesis 16:1–6). Abraham waited 25 years for the son God promised to give him through his wife Sarah (Genesis 12:1–4; 17:15–19).
Even after the promised son Isaac was born, Abraham’s faith was tested beyond belief. God told him to sacrifice him! As God saw Abraham’s childlike trust in his willingness to slay his son, God honored Abraham and promised even greater blessing (Genesis 22:1–18).
The story of Abraham, Isaac, and God’s command to sacrifice this promised son is a story all its own—a story of redemption.
Genuine faith is often clarified and confirmed by what appears as a failure at first.
Faith is impractical
For over 50 years, my wife and I have lived by faith in a simple way. At times people questioned and even mocked us for the simplicity of our faith. Yet, God has proved faithful and blessed us with many opportunities to serve Him and blessings beyond measure.
Our faith was tested in many ways over the years and still gets tested as we move into different phases of our lives. This is to be expected.
Faith is not a practical pursuit; it’s a matter of trust in God and His faithfulness to honor our trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is more than what we believe about God.
True, genuine faith is a complete and personal trust in God — a childlike trust. What kind of faith is needed to please God? This is what Jesus instructed His first followers—
I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it. (Luke 18:17 GW ) [for context see Luke 17:15–17]
True, genuine faith is a complete and personal trust in God—a childlike trust
What kind of faith do you have?
Is your faith more than beliefs about God?
Trip planted a church in the US and established two ministries overseas, along with many other ministry experiences. His ministry now focuses on discipleship and leadership development, while serving as a mentor to pastors and leaders with Poimen Ministries. Along with writing devotionals and simple Bible studies, he’s written books, Bible study guides, and training materials. Trip’s material can also be found at
@tkbeyond (on X)
@tripkimball (on https://substack.com/)
