Who do you trust?
Government? Media? Clergy? Business leaders?
The Edelman Trust Barometer says we’re in the middle of an “infodemic,” and people have lost trust in all news sources. Trust in social media is at an all-time low. [linkedin.com/news/story/weve-lost-trust-in-social-media-rpt-4304977/]
Desperate to have his child restored to him with Jesus’ healing, a father, shouts, “Lord, I believe: help my unbelief!”[1] Faith is necessary for belief: a personal, human response to real, supernatural Truth must accompany one’s trust.[2]
But my faith, my commitment to God’s Word is not the same as “possibly” or “I hope my team wins the Super Bowl.” The importance of “trust” in the Bible is an assurance a confidence that something will for sure happen.
The Hebrew word for trust is “amen” which literally means “so be it.” Saying “amen” at the end of a prayer, for instance, is based on trustworthy authority. The New Testament words for “faith” and “belief” are equal to amen.[3]
The word amen captures the fullest meaning of a person’s faith. Saying “Amen” is an informed decision to commit oneself to God.[4] Another Hebrew word for “trust” seeks safety, a sense of security. In Christian terms, we are placing our confidence in God. Proverbs 3:5 uses this word, “Trust in the Lord.” We “commit our way to the Lord” because “He will act,” so we “trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3, 5).[5]
Some people trust in human beings[6], others in violence[7], still others in riches[8], military power[9], or in one’s own goodness[10]. The result of this misplaced trust is complacency[11] and shame[12].
But for the Christian, deliverance[13], answered prayer[14],”straight paths”[15], inner peace[16], and joy[17] result from one who listens to the admonition “trust in the Lord”[18].
We are not surprised that The Edelman Trust shows people have lost trust in social media and human leaders. The certainty we have as Christians is placed in The Eternal God who certainly has our best interests at heart.
[1] Mark 9:24. Some had real problems believing, including the disciples (cf. 6:6; 16:14; Matt 13:58; 17:20).
[2] Hebrews 11:1-6 and 11:7-40 respectively.
[3] Notice a summary statement of some OT uses of “faith,” “belief,” or “trust”: Abram exercised belief in God (G 15:6); Gen 45:26—“unbelievable! Joseph can’t be alive!”; Ex 4:5—the opportunity to believe in truth is there if they want it; Ex 4:1, 8-9, 31; 14:31—people may or may not exercise that belief; Num 14:11—“I can’t believe it!”–God’s response when people do not exercise belief; Num 20:12—levels of trust, commitment; Deut 1:32—mistrust in the face of past promises fulfilled; Deut 9:23—distrust when commanded; 2 Chronicles 20:20—exercising belief based on God’s spoken word; Job 24:22—surety is not based in human power, position, prestige; Psalm 27:13—Confidence based on patience; Psalm 78:22, 32—unbelief in the face of provision and miracle; Psalm 106:12—belief in the face of intervention and miracle
Psalm 119:66—desire for instruction is based on belief in God’s written word; Proverbs 14:15—prudence planning everyday affairs; Isaiah 7:9—human responsibility and effort are necessary in exercising faith
[4] Lawrence Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, 114.
[5] Batah, John N. Oswalt, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 101.
[6] Psalm 118:8; 146:3; Jeremiah 17:5.
[7] Psalm 55:23; 62:10.
[8] Psalm 49:6; 52:7.
[9] Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalm 44:6; Jeremiah 5:17.
[10] Ezekiel 33:13; Hosea 10:13.
[11] Isaiah 32:9-11; Ezekiel 30:9; Amos 6:1.
[12] Psalm 31:14.
[13] Psalm 22:4.
[14] 1 Chronicles 5:20
[15] Proverbs 3:5
[16] Psalm 4:8; Isaiah 26:3.
[17] Psalm 16:9; 33:21.
[18] Proverbs 16:20; Isaiah 30:15; Jeremiah 17:7.
