Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7 (Amplified)
The key words in this passage are “believes,” “trusts in,” and “relies on.” These words set up a progression of sorts. That is to say, one must first believe in God before one can trust God, and one must learn to trust God before one can fully rely on God. This verse reminds us that walking with God is not a one-day affair. Rather it requires an ongoing, committed relationship with God, marked by daily diligence and intentionality. The verse itself encourages us how to press on–with hope and confident expectation in the Lord. He will never fail.
We shouldn’t lose sight of the author of this passage, Jeremiah the Prophet of God, who knew some pretty serious adversity in his time and preached his message of God’s impending judgment to a people hostile toward him and unwilling to turn from their sin. In times like these, looking forward in hope is what keeps us focused on God and allows us to overcome the adversity we are facing.
