“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him”
(Jeremiah 17:7, NIV)
Is it possible to trust in the Lord; but not have confidence in Him?
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him”
(Jeremiah 17:7, NIV)
Is it possible to trust in the Lord; but not have confidence in Him?
thedailylily.com 
I looked up “trust” in my thesaurus, and the word “confidence” was listed there; as essentially, the same meaning, as “trust”. The question above states, “Is it possible to trust the Lord; but not have confidence in Him?” If trust and confidence have the same meaning, I would say the answer to the question would be…..”no”? Also, the word, “faith” was listed in there, for the word “trust.”
By definition, TRUST is 1 a) “firm belief in the honesty, reliability, etc. of another; faith b) the one trusted 2) confident expectation, hope, etc. 3) responsibility resulting from confidence placed in one 4) care; custody 5) something entrusted to one 6) faith in a buyer’s ability to pay; credit 7) a combination of corporations to establish a monopoly “…..
By definition, CONFIDENCE is 1) “trust; reliance 2) assurance 3) belief in one’s own abilities 4) the belief that another will keep a secret 5) something told as a secret–adj. swindling or used so as to swindle.”
Sara asks if you can trust GOD but not have confidence in HIS Person. The definition Needles posted….honest, reliable, ….I suppose one could include….surety that HE will do the right thing, tell the truth, act with integrity…such a One surely does generate confidence in that Person. We may not always like the decisions or the outcome . We may not always like the commands or the circumstances we find ourselves in because of the directives of the HONEST & HOLY ONE but we can be assured..that is….be CONFIDENT that HE will ALWAYS do the right thing, moral, spiritual, emotional even if we, in this fleshly tent, don’t agree.
If we are confidant…vs 8 says, “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
And 9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Maybe I am splitting straws but confidence seems to have a boldness and assurance with it that may be a step above trust. Confidence seems to say that ‘I have proved Him o’er and o’er’. Trust may be a step of faith, confidence may take a stand.
Interesting that Psalm 112:7 NLT uses confidently as adverb for trust. “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.”
Yeah, I guess splitting straws could be like: I “confidently” trust in the Lord to do the very best thing and the very best thing for me. I KNOW HE DOES AND HE HAS AND HE WILL. While “hopefully trusting in someone i.e…….HOPING that ‘someone’ will do the right thing
Sounds like I better not put my confidence in anyone other than The Lord, God!
“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.” Psalm 146:3 NLT
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”
I am thinking the combination of trust and confidence is putting faith into action and seeing and having the results and/or fruit from the ‘promise tree.’
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Same verse from the NLT “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”
Oh my! To be fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises can only be proven if….we act “indeed” in the manner as though it were so. You said, Sara, ACTION. I supposed we can yammer all day about how great GOD is….(and He is); how wonderful He is. (and He is) and how much we love Him (and we think we DO) and how much we trust Him (yak, yak, yak)….hum….uh….) But if we don’t act like we trust Him and choose what He chooses for us and do what He tells us to do just because WE TRUST HIM……then….there is virtually no REAL faith and confidence in Him. EITHER THAT, or we are just plain DISOBEDIENT. And that’s a sin. Then, by our actions or non-actions we are saying we have more confidence in the flesh than in the living God.
MG, think the truth has something to say about trusting the arm of flesh.
“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.” Jerm 17:5 NIV
I don’t believe that you can truly trust in the Lord and not have confidence in HIM.
As Debi put in a card to me long ago when I was faced with additional x-rays and was frighten. The winds of life blow and you will stand with God. He will see your through. I’ve hung on to that card through many situations I’ve faced.
As I have found the winds of life don’t always blow good things upon our lives. Many situations arise that we have to face from medical issues, broken relationships, broken vessels. If we can put our trust and confidence in Jesus he will see us through. He will give us the peace to take the steps. The steps aren’t always easy. They may bring tears and heartache but Jesus will see you through and provide what you need day by day. Hold on to the hand of Jesus. His hand
holds tight and will never let you slip and fall. You might wonder at times but keep on trusting with confidence in Him and
He will see you through. He will bear you up on EAGLES WINGS. Although the song doesn’t say it, it seems the hard times bring more and more trust and confidence in the ONE you will never want to let GO of.
http://<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7
Reading all the verses and comments it seems that if we don’t trust Him or have faith in Him then we are questioning or really slandering His good character which is really awful when I think about it. And we can’t please Him no matter what we do (Heb 11:6). Also if we show confidence and trust toward Him that may help others who are struggling or are weak in their faith to grow stronger.
Debi, great words you have spoken, “Also if we show confidence and trust toward Him that may help others who are struggling or are weak in their faith to grow stronger.”
Do you have a story to share?
One thing I can think of is that I have been able to see the importance of and be a part of our church, CCI’s, outreach ministry. A timely card, mailing or some other form of outreach can bring encouragement…it lets the person know the Lord is thinking of them.
I think this is a way we can show confidence and trust toward Him.
I agree Debi, corporate sharing is so rewarding to both the giver and receiver.