Trusting God, Jerry Bridges. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2008. Reprint edition, 2017. Paperback. 368 pages. $15.99.
“Nothing, not even the smallest virus escapes His care and control” (13).
This quote jumped off the page on a reread of my favorite book, Trusting God, by the late Jerry Bridges. In his preface, the author says that the book was written as a Bible study about God and his “sovereignty, wisdom and love as they bear upon the adversities we all encounter” (vii).
The stated twofold purpose of the book is to first glorify God by acknowledging his sovereignty and goodness, and second, to encourage God’s people by demonstrating from Scripture that God is in control of their lives, that he does indeed love them, and that he works out all the circumstances of their lives for his ultimate good (ix).
In working out the study, the author uses quotes and stories from the Bible and ties them in with quotes from later authors and more current experiences. For example, the question, “Can you trust God?” has two possible meanings: Is God trustworthy? Or, Do you have confidence in him? There are three topics to explore as a basis for God’s trustworthiness: Is God sovereign over everything? Does God possess all wisdom? Is God perfect in love?
In the chapter “Is God in Control?” Bridges confronts the modern yet age-old concept of a not totally powerful God doing the best he can and leaving the rest to fate or chance. The author shows what Scripture has to say and why unbelievers or weak believers water down the biblical doctrine of God’s providence.’
The next several chapters deal with the sovereignty of God. We need to get back to saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). God is sovereign over timing, over nations and their leaders, over individuals and nature. If you think that doctrine is threatening, do you wholeheartedly love God and his Word? If you trust God, isn’t the doctrine of God’s sovereignty comforting? Scripture is peppered with verses proclaiming that God will do what he wants, and no person or group has the power or authority to challenge or resist him. “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isa. 14:27).
“Such a bare, unqualified statement of the sovereignty of God would terrify us if that were all we knew about God, but God is not only sovereign, He is perfect in love and infinite in wisdom” (35).
“God’s infinite wisdom is displayed in bringing good out of evil. God makes no mistakes. He knows with infinite wisdom what combination of good and bad circumstances will bring us more and more into sharing His holiness” (114–15). God’s wisdom is not only greater than ours but also greater than the cunning of our adversaries, both the physical and spiritual ones. God is aware of each trial and temptation that comes our way. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” How comforting!
Bridges asks, “What truths about God do we need to store up in our hearts to use as weapons against temptation to doubt His love?” (133). The primary answer is in 1 John 4:9–10. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God showed his love by meeting our greatest need. Every time we question his love, we must go back to the cross and reflect on our unworthiness of the love he poured on us anyway.
Bridges goes on to discuss God’s love in discipline. This also, besides the chapter “Wisdom,” pulls in the concept of God making his children to more and more conform to the image of his Son. The next chapter discusses “Trusting God for Who You Are.” Physical and mental disabilities are dealt with in the light of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love.
Throughout the book, the author deals with the distinctions between God’s sovereign will and revealed will. He also discusses the juxtaposition of our responsibility in light of God’s sovereignty.
Then it’s time to get back to the two meanings of the question, “Can you trust God?” Chapters 1–12 point out how trustworthy God is. We get to the point of encouraging individuals to let go of self and circumstances and face up to our responsibility to trust God. Our emotions in times of distress have to be subservient to the great truths of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love.
After we see who God is and how he has helped his undeserving people, our response, like many of the psalms, is not only trust but also thanksgiving and praise. The author discusses worship, humility, and forgiveness before summarizing it as “seeking God’s glory,” which is God’s chief end, as well as ours.
Beth Elzinga has pursued interests in music and travel. Her church affiliation is Grace United Reformed Church of Alto, MI.