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Idioms are fascinating part of english grammar. According to Websters, an idiom is “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air) or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way)”. That is a fancy way to say it’s a phrase that  means something other than the literal words used in it. I find them fascinating because they reflect a distinct cultural manner of expressing oneself.

One such example is the term, “pin your hopes”. It’s a phrase  that one might use to describe trust in something favourable happening; “we pinned our hopes for success on our favourite player winning the match”, for instance. This term, which apparently dates from the 1500s, originated as “pin one's faith on another's sleeve” and may have alluded to the practice of soldiers wearing their leader's insignia on their sleeves. By the 1800s, however, it acquired its present form”.

Though you will not find this specific term in the Bible, you will discover the concept about which it speaks when the scriptures refer to where we should place our eternal hope and trust. Often in its pages we read descriptions of the foolishness of trusting  in the things of this world in contrast to  the wisdom of trusting in God. The familiar words of Proverbs 3:5 remind us of this, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”. It points out that, on the one hand, trust in oneself is really no hope at all but on the other hand, trust in the Lord God is always well placed. Idiomatically speaking, “pin your hopes on the Lord and not yourself”.

Another  text that reiterates this truth is one that has always stood out in my mind; 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm. - Psalm 20:7-8

 

Good to note here how the psalmist David highlights the objects of trust in his day, “chariots” and “horses”. They give the picture of military strength not unlike what we find in our day when we think of attack helicopters and tanks perhaps. Common in every age, including ours as well is the idea of trusting in military strength for victory. Psalm 33:6-7 echoes this further when it says;

No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

 

Again and again we read of the stupidity of trusting the things of this fallen world to do what only the King of Glory can accomplish. The Bible consistently forces us to look both at our own inadequacies and in so doing “pin our hopes”, not on other people or our own strength, but in him alone. So says the prophet Isaiah, 

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid.

The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;

he has become my salvation. ” (Is. 12:2)

 

And once again from the Psalms, 

 No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame, (Psalm 25:3)

 

So what does this mean for the daily life of the believer. Well, first it shows us something of the character of God; he is not only capable of caring for his own but delights to do it. I think we would all agree that God can do anything and that he alone is worthy of our trust. What we need is a reminder that he takes great joy when we pin our faith on his sleeve. When we delight in trusting God he delights in fighting our battles.

Second, we must make a conscious effort to not trust in “chariots and horses”. You know as well as I that it’s far too easy to be seduced by the allure of the world and forget the one who made us. We feel the pressure of our troubles and we look for what appears to be a help but is in fact a false hope. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour for he is our strength.

The way to a greater trust in our God is neither quick nor easy. It is in fact long and difficult. But it is the only way to having  hope for the future and confidence in the presence. As we look to his word and spend time in communion with him gradually we will find this deep and abiding trust and know in our hearts that we can always ”pin our hopes” on him.