Celebrating In God We Trust Day

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On April 22, 1864 the words “In God We Trust” first appeared on U.S. coins.

It originated in “The Star-Spangled Banner”, written during the War of 1812. 

The fourth stanza includes the phrase, “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our Trust.'”

The Star-Spangled Banner

v. 1 – O say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

v. 4 – O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

~ Francis Scott Key

In 1956 the U.S. was at a particularly tense time in the Cold War, to distinguish itself from the Soviet Union, which promoted state atheism, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution “declaring IN GOD WE TRUST the national motto of the United States.”

What Does it Mean to Trust God?

Trust – 

1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
2. confident expectation of something; hope.
3. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6

People are encouraged to trust themselves. Motivational quotes like…

and

are everywhere.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotten into all kinds of trouble while “trusting” myself.

In God We Trust

What if we trusted God with:

• our relationships
• our jobs
• our families
• our possessions
• our money
• our time
• our health
• our reputations
• our hopes and dreams

What if we completely “relied on the integrity, strength, ability, and surety” of God?
What if we were completely “confident” in His promises?

What if we completely lived like we believe:

So God has given both His promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Hebrews 6:18

What if we completely relied on Him—Who He says He is? What He says He can do? Who He says we are? The strength He alone gives? The Word He makes active and alive in us? (Beth Moore—Believing God)

What if?

Look at the benefits of completely trusting God:

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:7–8

Wisdom. Joy. Insight for living.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7

Strength. Protection. Help. Joy.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Isaiah 26:3

Peace.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:7

Blessings.

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. John 12:44

Relationship with God through Jesus.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Hope. Joy. Peace.

There is a war against trusting God. A public war that attacks the Bible and Christianity, and a private war that subtly attacks our hearts and minds with doubt and self-reliance.

Stop with me today and pray the words of Kind David:

Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide me.  Psalm 143:8–9

And those of the father of the “demon-possessed” boy:

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

What do you believe is the greatest enemy warring against our complete trust in God? What is the benefit of trusting God for which you are most thankful?

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