Trust in the Bible

David establishes himself in Jerusalem. He defeats the Philistines twice at Baal-perazim and the Valley of Rephaim by seeking God's guidance. David's fame spreads to all nations.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer boldly attack a Philistine outpost, trusting that God can save by many or by few. God sends confusion among the Philistines. Saul's rash oath nearly costs Jonathan's life, but the people rescue him.

The Philistine giant Goliath challenges Israel to single combat for 40 days. Young David, trusting in God rather than armor, kills Goliath with a sling and stone. Israel routs the Philistines in the ensuing battle.

David rescues the city of Keilah from the Philistines but learns through the ephod that the city would betray him to Saul. He flees to the wilderness of Ziph, where Jonathan visits him one final time to strengthen his faith in God.

David finds Saul vulnerable in a cave at En Gedi but refuses to kill the Lord's anointed, cutting only a corner of his robe. David confronts Saul from a distance, and Saul weeps, acknowledging David's righteousness.

David again spares Saul's life, this time taking his spear and water jug while he sleeps in camp. From a hilltop, David calls out to Saul and Abner, demonstrating his innocence. Saul admits his wrong and blesses David.

David returns to Ziklag to find it burned and all the families taken captive by Amalekite raiders. Strengthening himself in the Lord, David pursues, recovers everything, and distributes spoil equally among those who fought and those who guarded supplies.

Abijah of Judah confronts Jeroboam of Israel in battle. Standing on Mount Zemaraim, Abijah declares that Judah fights with God because they have kept the true priesthood and worship. God gives Judah a decisive victory over Israel's larger army.

Asa enjoys peace and prosperity because he seeks God. When a million-man Ethiopian army attacks, Asa prays: Lord, there is no one besides You to help. God defeats the Ethiopians, and Asa plunders their cities.

In his later years, Asa makes a treaty with Aram against Israel instead of trusting God. The seer Hanani rebukes him, saying God's eyes search for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Asa imprisons the prophet and becomes diseased, dying without seeking God.

A vast enemy coalition attacks Judah. Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast and prays: We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. God says the battle is His. Judah sends singers ahead of the army, and God sets ambushes against the enemies, who destroy each other.

Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah. Hezekiah strengthens Jerusalem's defenses and encourages the people: With us is the Lord our God. After Sennacherib's mocking letters, Hezekiah and Isaiah pray, and God sends an angel who destroys the Assyrian army. Hezekiah's illness, recovery, and pride are briefly mentioned.

Paul opens by praising God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others. He describes his severe suffering in Asia and explains why he delayed his visit to Corinth—not from fickleness but from care.

Hezekiah becomes one of Judah's greatest kings, removing high places and destroying the bronze serpent. He rebels against Assyria. Sennacherib invades Judah, and his official Rabshakeh mocks God and tries to demoralize Jerusalem.

Absalom spends four years winning the hearts of the people with flattery and self-promotion, then launches a rebellion. David flees Jerusalem weeping, leaving loyalists behind as spies. Hushai is sent back to undermine Absalom's counselor Ahithophel.

Moses begins his farewell speeches to Israel on the plains of Moab. He recounts the journey from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, the appointment of leaders following Jethro's advice, and the disastrous decision to refuse entering Canaan after the spies' report. He reminds the new generation of the consequences of their parents' unbelief.

Moses reminds Israel that God humbled and tested them in the wilderness for forty years to teach them dependence on Him. He taught them that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth. Moses warns that when they prosper in the land, they must not forget God or claim their own power made them wealthy.

The Israelites grumble about food in the wilderness, and God provides manna from heaven each morning and quail in the evening. God instructs them to gather only what they need daily, with a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath. Some disobey, and the leftover manna breeds worms.

The people quarrel with Moses at Rephidim because there is no water. God tells Moses to strike the rock at Horeb and water flows out. The Amalekites attack Israel, and as long as Moses holds up his hands, Israel prevails; Aaron and Hur support his arms until Joshua wins the battle.

An oracle against Egypt: Pharaoh is a great dragon in the Nile that God will hook and drag out. Egypt will become desolate for forty years then be restored as a lowly kingdom — never again a source of false confidence for Israel.

Ezra lists those who return with him and discovers no Levites among them. He recruits Levites, then calls a fast at the river Ahava rather than requesting a military escort, trusting God for protection. They arrive safely in Jerusalem.

God makes a formal covenant with Abram, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars and the land of Canaan. Abram believes God and it is credited to him as righteousness. God reveals that Abram's descendants will be enslaved for 400 years before returning to the land.

Jacob sends messengers ahead to Esau and learns his brother is coming with 400 men, filling him with fear. He divides his camp, prays earnestly, and sends gifts ahead. That night Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure until dawn and is renamed Israel, meaning one who strives with God.

Jacob sets out for Egypt with his entire household. God speaks to him at Beersheba in a vision, reassuring him not to fear going to Egypt and promising to make him a great nation there. The chapter lists all seventy members of Jacob's family who enter Egypt, and Joseph joyfully reunites with his father.

During the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, God tells King Ahaz not to fear and offers a sign. When Ahaz refuses, God gives the Immanuel prophecy — a virgin will conceive and bear a son. This becomes a key messianic text.

God instructs Isaiah to name his son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz as a sign of coming Assyrian invasion. The chapter warns against consulting mediums instead of God and describes growing darkness for those who reject His word.

God uses Assyria as His rod of discipline against Israel but will then judge Assyria for its arrogance. A remnant of Israel will return, trusting in God rather than their oppressors.

A short hymn of thanksgiving concluding the first major section of Isaiah. The redeemed sing of God's salvation with joy, drawing water from the wells of salvation and proclaiming His deeds among the nations.

God commands Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign against Egypt and Cush. This dramatic acted prophecy warns Judah not to trust in Egyptian military alliances for deliverance.

A song of trust and salvation. The righteous enter the strong city of God, kept in perfect peace because they trust in Him. Includes a vision of resurrection — the dead will live and their bodies will rise.

Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim whose glorious beauty is fading. Isaiah confronts leaders who mock his message. God will lay a precious cornerstone in Zion — a messianic prophecy — while judgment comes like a flood on the scoffers.

Woe to those who trust Egypt rather than God. Judah's alliance with Egypt is futile — like trusting a cracked wall. Yet God longs to be gracious, waiting to show compassion, and promises to guide His people with a word behind them.

Another warning against relying on Egypt's horses and chariots instead of God. The Lord will fight for Jerusalem like a lion over its prey, and like birds hovering to protect their young — He will shield and deliver Zion.

The historical narrative begins: Assyria's commander Rabshakeh besieges Jerusalem and taunts King Hezekiah, mocking Judah's trust in God and Egypt. He tries to undermine the people's faith by speaking in Hebrew to the crowds on the wall.

Babylon's idols Bel and Nebo are carried away on beasts, burdens to their worshipers. God contrasts this: He has carried Israel from birth to old age. Idols must be carried; God carries His people.

The third Servant Song: the Servant's obedience despite suffering. He offers his back to those who strike him and his cheeks to those who pull out his beard. He sets his face like flint, trusting God to vindicate him — a clear foreshadowing of Jesus's passion.

Israel is oppressed by Midian for seven years. The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, calling him a mighty warrior while he threshes wheat in hiding. Gideon tears down his father's Baal altar and asks God for signs with a fleece.

God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men so Israel cannot boast in its own strength. Using trumpets, torches, and jars, the 300 rout the vast Midianite camp in a divinely orchestrated night attack.

Judah's sin is engraved with an iron stylus on their hearts. The famous contrast: cursed is the one who trusts in man, blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord — like a tree planted by water. The heart is deceitful above all things — who can understand it?

Jerusalem falls to Babylon in 586 BC. Zedekiah flees but is captured, his sons killed before his eyes, then blinded. Nebuchadnezzar spares Jeremiah and frees him. Ebed-Melech is also spared because he trusted in God — faith rewarded amid catastrophe.

Job declares he will argue his case directly before God, willing to risk his life for vindication. He tells his friends to be silent and warns that their false defence of God is itself sinful.

Job longs to find God and present his case, confident he would be acquitted. Yet God seems hidden and unreachable. Despite this, Job declares that God knows the way he takes and he will come forth as gold.

The Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground as the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the water. God miraculously stops the river's flow, demonstrating His power to the new generation.

Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan for forty days. They return with enormous grapes confirming the land flows with milk and honey, but ten spies spread a terrifying report about giants and fortified cities. Only Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust God and take the land.

Miriam dies at Kadesh. The people again quarrel about water, and God tells Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses strikes the rock twice in anger, and God declares that Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land because they did not trust Him. Aaron dies on Mount Hor and his son Eleazar succeeds him.

One of the most beloved chapters in Proverbs. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Wisdom is more precious than rubies.

Proverbs on God's sovereignty over human plans. The heart plans but God directs the steps. Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Gray hair is a crown of splendour.

Proverbs on the power of words and true friendship. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs on discipline, justice, and self-control. A person who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed. Where there is no vision, the people perish. The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. He confesses his ignorance before God and asks for neither poverty nor riches. Contains the famous "two things I ask" prayer and numerical proverbs about four things that are never satisfied and four that are stately in their stride.

A psalm of David fleeing Absalom. Despite enemies surrounding him, David declares God as his shield and sustainer. He sleeps peacefully because the Lord sustains him, demonstrating trust in desperate circumstances.

An evening prayer of confidence. David asks God for relief and rebukes those who pursue false gods. He declares that the joy God gives surpasses material abundance, and lies down in peace.

David appeals to God as righteous judge to vindicate him against false accusations. He declares his innocence and asks God to arise in justice. The psalm warns that the wicked fall into their own traps.

When advised to flee like a bird, David declares his trust in the Lord whose throne is in heaven. God tests the righteous and loves justice. The upright will see his face.

A cry for help in a world of flattery and lies. David asks God to protect the faithful when everyone speaks with deception. God's words, unlike human speech, are pure like silver refined seven times.

One of the shortest and most honest lament psalms. David asks "How long?" four times, wrestling with God's seeming forgetfulness. Yet he chooses to trust in unfailing love and ends with a song of praise.

A messianic psalm of trust. David declares God as his portion and finds boundary lines in pleasant places. He is confident that God will not abandon his soul to the grave, a prophecy Peter applies to Christ's resurrection.

David's victory song after God delivered him from all enemies. He describes God as his rock, fortress, and deliverer, then recounts a dramatic theophany of rescue. God rewards the faithful and empowers the humble.

A prayer for the king before battle. The people ask God to grant the king's heart desires and remember his offerings. They trust not in chariots and horses but in the name of the Lord their God.

A messianic psalm of suffering that begins with the cry Jesus quoted on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It describes pierced hands and feet, divided garments, and mockery, yet ends in universal praise.

The most beloved psalm in Scripture. David declares the Lord as his shepherd who provides, guides, restores, and protects. Even through the valley of the shadow of death, God's presence removes all fear. Goodness and love follow the believer forever.

An acrostic prayer for guidance, forgiveness, and protection. David asks God to teach him his ways and remember mercy rather than youthful sins. He declares that God's friendship is for those who fear him.

David asks God to vindicate him, declaring that he has walked in integrity and has not sat with the deceitful. He loves God's house and asks to be gathered with the redeemed, not with sinners.

A psalm of supreme confidence. David declares the Lord is his light and salvation—whom shall he fear? He desires one thing: to dwell in God's house forever. He encourages himself to wait for the Lord and be strong.

David cries out to God as his rock and asks not to be dragged away with the wicked. When God answers, David's heart leaps with joy. He declares the Lord as the strength and shepherd of his people.

David entrusts his spirit to God—the words Jesus spoke on the cross. He describes being surrounded by enemies but trusts in God's unfailing love. He encourages all who hope in the Lord to be strong and courageous.