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Baptism is an immersion in water (mode) for the remission of sins (purpose) of a penitent believer (subject).  Baptism is commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission as a means of making disciples.  “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:28-20).  The only passage where Jesus connects baptism with salvation is Mark 16:16.  “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”  With these passages in mind, let’s consider the blessings of baptism.
Salvation
In Mark 16:16, Jesus taught that faith and baptism were essential to salvation.  The salvation gained is deliverance from sin and its consequences.  Unbelief condemns the human soul and, if not corrected by repentance, will bring one to damnation (eternal punishment).  Faith in Jesus involves complete trust in Him and His word.  But, notice, faith is not standing alone nor acting alone.  Faith must be accompanied by baptism.  Faith and baptism are aorist participles and the action described by them must be completed before the action of the main verb (shall be saved).  Most believe faith is essential to salvation, but deny that baptism plays any role in our salvation.  This belief is a contradiction of what Jesus taught.  We must not call Jesus Lord and, then, disobey His commands (Luke 6:46).
Discipleship
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus teaches that we make disciples by teaching individuals the Word of God and baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  You cannot be a disciple of Jesus without knowing His truth and being baptized.  Disciples of Jesus were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26).  You cannot be a New Testament Christian without baptism.  A disciple is a learner or a follower of a significant leader.  A disciple becomes like the leader by obedience to the teachings of the leader as well as following the example of the leader.  Christians follow Jesus Christ in both respects.  This is transformational and is the result of self-denial (Matt. 16:24) whereby we take up our cross and follow Him.
Forgiveness
The apostle Peter answers the question posed by the multitudes on the Day of Pentecost, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).  “Then, Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).  Peter gave two commands:  repent and be baptized.  Both commands are necessary in order to obtain the remission of sins.  Forgiveness is a promise/blessing that is realized when we obey the commands given.  Forgiveness is the result of the redemptive work of Jesus when He died upon the cross and shed His blood for the atonement of sins (Eph. 1:7).  We come into contact with the blood of Jesus when we are baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3-4).  The unforgiven will die in their sins.  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).
A New Name–Christian
Peter taught the household of Cornelius the gospel of Christ and baptized them into Christ (Acts 10:47-48).  Once the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:18), a new name was called upon those who were disciples of Jesus.  That new name was the name Christian (Acts 11:26).  In this name, Christians glorify Jesus Christ who is the Messiah and the Son of God.  Both Jews and Gentiles who obeyed the gospel wore this name and so it unified them and gave them a new identity.  Baptism results in spiritual union with Christ and gives us a new identity.
Membership in the Kingdom of God
Baptism is the means of entrance into the spiritual kingdom of God or the church of Christ.  In John 3:3-5, John records these words of Jesus, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  “Born of water and of the Spirit” is one birth with two elements–water, and the Spirit.  The water is a reference to baptism and at the time of one’s baptism, the believer is regenerated (given new life) by the Spirit.  Before baptism, one is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.  At the time of baptism, a new life is begotten (I Pet. 1:21; Eph. 2:1; Rom. 6:4).  The church of Christ is the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:18-19).  Jesus built the church and bought it with His own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).  Paul declares, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Cor. 12:13).
Name Written in the Book of Life
Those who belong to God are known by name to Him!  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.  And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Tim. 2:19).  “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23).  “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).
Heir of God and Joint-Heir With Christ
When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  This is how we become a child of God and stop being a child of the devil.  If we are a son, then, we are an heir of God.  “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Gal. 4:7).  “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17).  Baptism puts us into the spiritual sphere where all spiritual blessings are located (Eph. 1:3).  This makes every Christian spiritually rich.
Loved By God and Jesus
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  Those who obey the commandments of Jesus enter into fellowship with Him and with God.  The bond that holds this relationship together is love.  We show our love for God and Christ when we obey them (John 14:15).  In turn, they will love us with a divine love that brings their presence and power into our lives.  God will never fail nor forsake those whom He loves (Heb. 13:5).  Our love for God and His love for us makes us inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39).
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
In Acts 2:38, Peter gives two commands and two promises.  When we obey the commands to repent and baptized, then, we receive the promises of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is the spiritual, non-mirculous, indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians.  “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).  “Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I John 4:13).
If we eliminate these blessings of baptism, then, we are spiritually impoverished, beleaguered, and dead.  We are still living in our sins and fulfilling the lusts of flesh.  We are living without God which is the very definition of doom, despair, and hopelessness (Eph. 2:12).

Baptism is an immersion in water for the remission of sins.  This statement is supported Scripturally by Acts 8:35-40 and Acts 2:38.  “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  Baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16).  From these passages, we learn that baptism is an immersion in water, for the remissions, and administered to a repentant believer.
Consider the following blessings of baptism.
First, baptism is necessary to obtain the forgiveness of sins.  Forgiveness (remission) is accomplished through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross at His death.  Jesus predicted that “remission of sins” would be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49).  The first time this occurred was on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem by Peter and the apostles (Acts 2).  The horror of horrors is to die unforgiven.  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).  To die unforgiven, is to die without mercy.
Second, baptism into Christ brings a new name.  After the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life, a new name was called upon the disciples of Jesus.  That new name was Christian (Acts 11:26).  This was in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2.  The disciples of Jesus Christ were called Christians first at Antioch.  In this name, we glorify God by wearing the name of the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
Third, there is the blessing of being added by the Lord to His church.  Baptism is the only means of entrance into the kingdom of God.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot se the kingdom of God.” “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5).  The kingdom of God is the church of Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:16-18).  Jesus built the church and bought it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  He is the only foundation of the church (I Cor. 3:11).  On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the gospel to the multitudes, they asked, “men and brethren what shall we do? (Acts 2:37).  Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Then, they that gladly received his word were baptized.  There were about 3,000 souls who obeyed the gospel.  Then, we are told that Jesus added them to the church (Acts 2:47).  This is how you become a member of the Lord’s church.
Fourth, there is the blessing of having your name written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Those who belong to God are known to Him by their name.  “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23).  See also Phil. 4:3 and Rev. 21:27.  The book of life is the record of those who have obtained the promise of everlasting life.
Fifth, there is the blessing of being an heir of God and joint-heir of Christ.  “The Spirit itself bearers witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17).  God owns everything in heaven and in earth.  We become heirs of all that God possesses.  All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  In Christ, we are truly rich toward God.
Sixth,  there is the blessing of new life in Christ.  The old man was dead in trespasses and sin.  But, the new man is alive in Christ.  Baptism results in newness of life.  “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).  “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17).
Seventh, there is the blessing of oneness with Christ.  Fellowship with God and Christ is the result of being baptized into Christ.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Spiritual union with Christ means that we are never alone.  It means that we have the privilege of prayer and can call God our Father.  It means that we are bound to God by love.  God and Christ love us and we love them and this bond makes us inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39).
Eighth, we are loved by God.  To be loved by God as a child of God is a very special spiritual blessing.  “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  God’s love for His people means that God will provide for them and protect them.  God will never fail us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
Ninth, there is the blessing of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Peter promised the “gift of the Holy Spirit” to those that repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38).  The non-miraculous, spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is affirmed in Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”  The Holy Spirit helps us produce the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and He strengthens us in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).  He also intercedes in our behalf when we pray (Rom. 8:26).  These spiritual blessings are part of the means of sustaining the Christian life on a day to day basis.
When individuals are taught falsely that baptism is not essential to salvation and they listen to this false instruction, they disobey God and miss the blessings of baptism.  This can only result in spiritual poverty and peril to one’s soul.

When we examine the questions that Jesus’ asks in the New Testament, we find that He asks three hundred seven questions in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  He is asked one hundred eighty-three questions and of those, He answers  fewer than ten directly. (The information given here was gathered from: Martin Copenhaver, Jesus Is The Question, Israel Wayne, Questions Jesus Asks, and Butch Entrekin, The Questions Jesus Asked).
In Mark 3:31-35, Jesus asks, “Who is my mother or my brethren?”  The question probes the value of our physical family giving us history, connection, identity, and even influencing character. It also probes the value of our spiritual family.  Our spiritual relationship with the Triune God, blesses us with salvation and sonship.  We not only have fellowship with Deity, but we have fellowship with all of those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The spiritual relationship that we have with Jesus Christ through the gospel is totally absent in the lives of unbelievers.  It is marginal in the lives of some Christians who are not authentically connected to Christ.  It is authentic and essential for many New Testament Christians who realize the value of spiritual relationships not only with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, but also with those of like precious faith.
Jesus had a physical family and a spiritual family.  The spiritual relationships were more significant to Him.  The most meaningful experience that we can have in this life is when our physical family is also a part of God’s family–the church of Christ.  When this occurs, we have a double blessing.  The physical ties which are intimate and real and the spiritual ties that transcend the physical and continue into eternity combine in significant, lasting relationships.
Jesus’ Physical Family
In Mark 6:3 and Matt. 13:55-56, Jesus’ physical family is mentioned.  Jesus was the oldest child born to Mary (and the Holy Spirit–Luke 1:30-35).  Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus (Luke 3:23), but he was Mary’s husband and the acting father of Jesus on earth.  Then, there were James, Joseph (Joses), Judas (Jude) and Simon.  Jesus also had sisters who are not named. Jesus’ younger siblings were all the natural children of Joseph and Mary. At some point after Jesus turned twelve, Joseph died. Jospeh is mentioned in Luke 2, but after that he not mentioned as an active part of Jesus’ life. Jospeh was not a part of Jesus’ public ministry which began when He turned thirty (Luke 3:23).  Whenever Jesus died on the cross, He entrusted the care of Mary to John (John 19:26,27). These and other references indicate that Jospeh was no longer a part of the family of Jesus.
Before the age of thirty, Jesus’ physical family grew.  Jesus Himself grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).  However, Jesus’ brethren did not believe that He was the Son of God and savior of the world (John 7:5).  While Jesus had natural familial connections, His family was not close due to their lack of a shared faith.  This is a common experience for many people.  There is a powerful disconnect in families when faith in Jesus Christ is not a shared experience and a common love for God and knowledge of His purposes is not shared by family members.  Jesus’ family was antagonistic to Him (Mark 3:20-21).  It’s one thing not to have our family share our faith and values, and quite another to have your family think you are mad or crazy.  We seldom think of the many ways that Jesus experienced life just as we do. He was faced with a divided family over religious views.  This part of Jesus’ experience identified Him with the human experience (Heb. 2:17).  He was tempted in all points just as we are (Heb. 4:15). Would He renounce His true identity and mission to please His family? Of course, He did not.  Would you?
Jesus’ family attempted to rescue Him from Himself!  Mark 3:31-35 records when His mother and brothers came to Him and asked Him to come outside. A crowd was sitting around and said, “your mother and brothers are outside, seeking you.”  Jesus said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  The answer seems obvious.  The physical family of Jesus was known. But, Jesus is now going to define His family in a different way.  Whenever Jesus was twelve, He identified His Father as God (Luke 2:49).  Now, He identifies His brothers as those who are true disciples, “For whosoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”  The spiritual relationship defines the true family of Jesus Christ. This spiritual bond is greater than the physical bond because it is more important involving the salvation of the soul.  It transcends the earthly ties.  It is eternal!
The spiritual relationship to Christ and each other does not depend on any earthly connection. It depends on the New Birth (John 3:3-5).  The New Birth (baptism into Christ) puts us into the family of God (Gal. 3:26-29).  In Christ, we are brothers and sisters or brethren.
Jesus’ Spiritual Brethren
In Heb. 2:10-12, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is to ashamed to call them brethren.”  Jesus saves and sanctifies. He purchases His disciples with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  Salvation establishes a unique relationship with the Lord that we do not have with any other person.  This relationship is why we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17).  If we belong to God, then, everything that God possesses belongs to us.
The Family of God
When we enter God’s family, we automatically have a whole new set of siblings.  We become “one body but many members.”  God’s children are unique.  They have different personalities, character traits, strengths and weaknesses, talents and material assets. But, they are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29).  The family of God is bound by love (John 13:34-35).
God’s Family and Ours
When our physical family is also a part of God’s family, we experience a double blessing.  A marriage is significantly blessed when this double blessing is present. A physical family is blessed when this double blessing is present.  The ties we experience in this life, in the flesh, are even greater through the Spirit and last into eternity.  Every Christian should work and pray that the members of his/her physical family would also be a part of God’s family where all spiritual blessings are found.
Jesus’ Family After the Resurrection
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead convinced His family that He truly was the Son of God and savior of the world.  They came to believe in Him (Acts 1:14).  On the Day of Pentecost, Mary and Jesus’ brethren were gathered together, along with other disciples, in the city of Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5).  Jesus’ half brother James wrote the book of James.  His half-brother Jude, wrote the book of Jude.  At last, Jesus was able to unite His family in the faith.  When this happened, Jesus was doubly blessed.

The greatest sermon ever delivered was given by Jesus Christ and recorded in Matthew 5-7.  The sermon is often designated, “The Sermon on the Mount.”  In this sermon, Jesus reveals the identifying traits of true discipleship.  A study of this sermon will help anyone differentiate between the authentic disciple of Jesus who possesses integrity and the hypocrite who makes claims to be a follower of Jesus, but whose heart is far from Him.  Please consider some of the qualities that belong to that authentic disciple who walks with integrity as given in Matthew 5.
Godly Character Counts in Discipleship
In Matt. 5:1-12, Jesus lists eight beatitudes.  Each of these beatitudes reflects part of the godly character that must be evident in the life of a disciple.  They are:  the poor in spirit (humble), those that mourn (godly sorrow), the meek (inner strength), those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (a passion for right living and to be like Christ), the merciful (lovingkindness), the pure in heart (free from the admixture of evil), the peacemakers (seek oneness with God and man), and the persecuted (willingness to suffer for righteousness sake).  Those who possess this righteous character are truly blessed.  The word blessed indicates that they stand in the grace of God and will receive the rewards that are associated with each beatitude. The word describes the spiritual standing in Christ that brings all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3).
Salt and Light
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is therefore good for nothing, but  to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men” (Matt. 5:13).  Salt retains its value only if it maintains its distinctive character.  Jesus desires that His followers maintain righteousness as a distinctive aspect of discipleship.  Faithfulness in pursuing and displaying Christlikeness is a mark of discipleship.  “Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14).  Jesus’ disciples must “burn as lamps lit from His fire” (He is the light of the world, John 8:12).  Light pierces the darkness and makes sight possible.  The world lies in sin and ignorance.  Enlightenment comes through truth taught and practiced.  Light must not be hidden.  Let your light shine!  Through moral purity, moral integrity and good works our lives exert a positive influence in the world.  When we act like Christ, God is glorified (Matt. 5:16).
Obedience to the Commands of Christ
A disciple of Jesus Christ is not a disciple of Moses.  Jesus came to fulfill the law and to establish a new covenant that would permit all people to have access to God’s redemptive power. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied of this transition to a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34.  The new covenant was necessary because the old covenant (the Mosaical Law) was not faultless (Heb. 8:8).  The old covenant was weak because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (Heb. 10:3-4).  The blood of Christ does provide complete atonement for sin (Heb. 9:14-15) even for the sins under the first testament.  The New Testament is a universal law that gives access to God for all people through Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:6).  Later, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes that His commandments must be obeyed (Matt. 7:24-27).  A true disciple of Jesus Christ respects His authority and heeds His commands.
Six Areas of Focus in Righteous Living
The righteousness of Jesus’ followers must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20).  Righteousness is conduct approved by God and in harmony with His Word.  Jesus lists six areas of concern and contrasts His teaching with that of the Mosaical Law.  The first is murder (Matt. 5:21-26).  Murder is the premeditated killing of a human life. Murder is often preceded by uncontrolled anger.  Such anger was present in Cain when he killed his brother Abel in the first recorded murder in the Bible (Gen. 4:6-12).  Jesus teaches that we must seek reconciliation with our brother before anger gets the best of us.  Anger can be an obstacle to worship.  Anger can backfire on us and lead to self-destruction.  Second, Jesus addresses adultery (Matt. 5:27-30).  Jesus commands His disciples to walk in sexual purity.  Sexual purity involves both the mind and the body.  Remember, Jesus had taught in the Beatitudes that the pure in heart shall see God.  Third, Jesus mentions divorce (Matt. 5:31-32).  Jesus sanctioned the sanctity of marriage against powerful cultural forces in His day.  Jesus prohibited indiscriminate divorce (divorce for any and every cause) and allowed divorce only for fornication.  Jesus taught that entering into a marriage after unjustified divorce constitutes adultery.  Fourth, Jesus addresses oaths (Matt. 5:33-37).  Oaths are often attempts to mask deception.  Oaths are irreverent and blasphemous.  Oaths are unnecessary for those who are completely honest.  An honest person cannot improve on the veracity of their speech by an oath.  Fifth, Jesus teaches against retaliation (Matt. 5:38-42).  An “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” was given in order to protect the rights of persons and property by an equitable judicial settlement.  The Lord’s way involves non-retaliation in personal relations.  Christians do not render vengeance through acts of violence.  Nor do they render vengeance through withholding acts of kindness (absence of love).  Finally, Jesus teaches about the detrimental aspect of hate (Matt. 5:43-48).  Hate is malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others including one’s enemies.  Loving others is essential to God’s Will. Loving others demonstrates God’s character in practical ways by doing good.  Loving others is important to being wholly consecrated to God.
A true disciple of Jesus Christ disciplines his/her life according to the teachings of Jesus and conforms to those instructions.  A true disciple of Jesus Christ exhibits Christlikeness.  A true disciple of Jesus Christ pursues, both in knowledge and conduct, all of the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Anything less is hypocrisy.

The word trust occurs around 200 times in the Bible.  Blessed promises, shining like a galaxy of stars are also offered to those who trust in the Lord with all of their heart.  Several different meanings are attached to trust as it is used in the Bible.
First, the word trust is used to mean reliance.  II Kings 18:5, “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel: so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.”  These words were spoken of king Hezekiah and show the reliance of Hezekiah on the LORD.  Hezekiah clave to the LORD and obeyed His commandments.  Hezekiah did not rely on foreign nations.  Instead, He relied upon God and God delivered him from the Assyrians.
Second, trust involves commitment.  Psa. 22:8, “He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him.”  Psa. 22 is Messianic and thus the fulfillment is seen in the life of Jesus Christ.  “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (I Pet. 2:23).  The strength of Jesus’ commitment is seen in the intensity of the trial of the crucifixion.
Third, trust is connected with steadfastness.  “Job 35:14, “Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.”  Trust is “staying the course.”
Fourth, trust involves taking refuge or having security.  In Ruth 2:12, Boaz says to Ruth, “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”  Security is found in the LORD whenever we place our trust in Him.
Fifth, trust is closely associated with confidence and hope.  Trust involves the idea of “waiting with hope.”  “In his name shall the Gentiles trust” (Matt. 12:21).  This is a quotation from Isaiah 42 regarding the Messiah.  Jesus is the hope of the Gentiles, indeed, He is the hope of the world.  In Luke 16:11, the word trust clearly has the idea of “confidence in.”  “Who will commit to your trust the true riches?”  The idea expressed here is to have confidence that someone will keep securely what is of great value.  When we trust God with our soul, we do the same thing.
Sixth, trust is associated with salvation or deliverance.  Nebuchadnezzar spake these words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God” (Dan. 3:28).  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Dan.. 3:17).  They trusted in God and God delivered them from the fiery furnace.
The object of our trust must be God.  Here are six words to live by: “Trust in him at all times” (Psa. 62:8). We trust in His strength (Isa. 26:4); His bountiful goodness (Nahum 1:7); His excellent loving kindness (Psa. 36:7); and His former deliverances (II Cor. 1:10; II Tim. 4:17-18).  “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is” (Jeremiah 17:7).