What Does “In God We Trust” Really Mean?

There is a debate every now and then in our country over the phrase “In God We Trust”. Should we remove this phrase from our currency? Some people say yes and others say no. I would be fine with removing the phrase from our currency because, let’s face it, as a nation I think it’s pretty clear that we do not trust in God. But individually do we trust in God…what does that really mean? In Psalm 56 David gives us an aspect of trust in God. Here are verses 3-4: Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? David says that when he is afraid He will trust in God. Do you trust in God when people are attacking you…or do you feel the need to strike back, exacting your own revenge? Do you trust God when the circumstances of life turn ugly…or do you look for your own way out?

When David asks the question, “What can flesh do to me?” I think all of us can answer, “Well, flesh (or man) can do a LOT to me. Listen to what he did. Listen to what she did. Listen to what they did.” But David has the right perspective. When we trust in God; really TRUST in God, it won’t matter what others do to us because we know that God loves us and desires the best for us. He can take the evil actions of others and use them for good. But we often miss that if we don’t trust Him. The greatest example of this is the cross of Jesus. The cross was horrific and yet it was beautiful. It fulfilled the very purpose of God. Jesus expressed His trust in the Father when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will but Yours”.  That’s an expression of trust.  When we trust in God, we declare that we will hang onto God with everything we have, even if we have nothing left in this life.