First of all, let us look at this phrase. From Wikipedia we can glean this interesting information: “‘In God We Trust’ is the official motto of the United States of America, Nicaragua, and of the U.S. state of Florida. It was adopted as the United States’ motto in 1956 as a replacement or alternative to the unofficial motto of E pluribus unum, which was adopted when the Great Seal of the United States was created and adopted in 1782. ‘In God We Trust’ first appeared on the two-cent piece in 1864 and has appeared on paper currency since 1957.”
It is an interesting question to ask if this would be permitted today. And even if it were, would it be embraced with the same deep intended meaning? You just have to wonder as the USA, as well as many other nations around the world, have become much more secular and permissive societies.
As ever, there are those who, not having any religious affiliation or affinity, object to the use of this phrase. Wikipedia continues:
“Some groups and people have expressed objections to its use, contending that its religious reference violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. These groups believe the phrase should be removed from currency and public property. In lawsuits, this argument has so far not overcome the interpretational doctrine of accommodationism, which allows government to endorse religious establishments as long as they are all treated equally. According to a 2003 joint poll by USA Today, CNN, and Gallup, 90% of Americans support the inscription ‘In God We Trust’ on U.S. coins.”
In an article by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell on May 7, 2013, she wrote: “Following the April 29 (2013) opening of their documentary The Unbelievers at Toronto’s Hot Docs Film Festival, outspoken atheists Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss discussed the merits of their approaches to ‘ridding the world of religion.’ In a recent interview with Steve Paikin, they made it clear that, despite their sometimes different personas, they have the same agenda—getting people to get rid of their belief in God. Yet they both say that Christians should not feel ‘threatened’ by their efforts to expunge religion from human history.”
That is the society that we live in today, where trust in God is belittled, undermined and scoffed at, and this background should give us the extra urgency and energy to trust in God for all our needs.
And so, back to the question. This phrase is not found verbatim in the Word of God but there are many verses that give the same meaning and understanding.
In Psalm 91:2 we read: “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’”
There are many other verses that say much the same thing, for example:
Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Nahum 1:7: “The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
Psalm 40:3: “He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 73:28: “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”
Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
These are but a few verses that show us where our trust should be.
As we know, times have changed drastically over the last several decades. There was a time when most people had a belief in God but, in more recent times, as the world has become more and more secular, that belief and acceptance have dwindled, been questioned, dismissed and even ridiculed by many as being outdated and unnecessary. There are those who wonder why the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord will be necessary, and even as severe as they will surely be but, even a cursory review of how society today thinks and behaves should give more than a clue as to why “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). It will be the only way of getting man’s full attention.
Dismissing trust in God, along with many other sins, will lead to much trouble and suffering for mankind.
Unfortunately, as so often happens, this phrase has been misappropriated by those who seem to know no better. For example, an increasing trend with football (soccer) supporters in the UK can be seen when showing banners at matches with God’s Name being replaced by the manager or a star player. Instead of “In God We Trust” it becomes “In (name of person) We Trust”. In a way, that is hardly surprising, as football in the UK (and in many other countries) has become a religion. This phrase with a human being’s name inserted, can also be heard in conversation and it is indeed a godless and unwelcome trend where a human being is seen as more important than God. Regrettably, that means nothing to those who are so involved but they will see, one day, how ridiculous such assertions were.
We are told not to trust in man. In Psalm 118:8-9 we read: “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.”
Also, Psalm 146:3: “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.”
And in Jeremiah 17:5: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.’”
It is quite clear that trust is not to be in mortal man but in the great Creator and Eternal God. Those in the true Church of God today, do trust God. In 2 Samuel 22:2-3, David, when giving praise for God’s deliverance said:
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.”
A stronghold is a “fortified place, a place of security or survival,” and that is what God should be to us. In God we trust, not in any man, and while this exact phrase cannot be found verbatim in the Word of God, the principle is seen throughout the Bible.
Let us, as the people of God, never forget where our trust should be and make our motto “In God We Trust.”
Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)