Friday, November 7

Jeremiah 17:7- Trusting AND Hoping in the LORD


Blessed is in the man who trusts in the LORD, And who hope is the LORD.
-Jeremiah 17:7

This morning I was reflecting on Jeremiah 17:7. In particular, I was wondering why God took the time to say that the person who "trusted" AND "hoped" in the LORD would be blessed? God is a perfect speaker after all, but to write that the person who hopes and trusts in the LORD will be blessed seemed redundant to me. 

So what's the deal? Was God being redundant? Just giving a two-edged whammy for the same idea?

No.

There is, in fact, a subtle distinction between trusting and hoping in the LORD, and thankfully GOD whispered that distinction to my not-so-astute heart.  

So what'd He say?

Here's what I got:

"To “trust” is to depend on something. To “hope” in something is to have the steadfast, quiet assurance and confidence that it will deliver on your behalf. You can trust in a bridge, but never have the hope of crossing it. Likewise, you can trust in a mighty man’s sword, but never have the hope of him yielding it in your behalf. But to be able to trust and hope in Someone is to be able to say, “My confidence is both in the LORD’s capability, AND in His willingness to USE that capability to defend me when it is necessary.” That is the difference between hope and trust, and the two sides of the sword of deliverance of Your MIGHTY King."

Thank You, Jesus for being One in whom I can BOTH trust and hope.

Love,
Alexandra

"I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Habakkuk 3:18