godly confidence

Godly Confidence

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 91

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to speak to different groups of leaders within my denomination. Different churches in different communities than my own, sometimes from different cultures than my own. One thing they all hold in common is a deep love for God and a passion to seek Him for the future of their life together. Often, the way forward is not easy. It can be unclear. It can be full of challenges. There can be a lot of conflict to navigate. Major decisions and major risks have to be taken in order to move forward. Those first few steps of faith are the hardest to take, at least in my experience. I try to share vulnerably from my own life when I speak. I share the stories of the challenges I’ve had to face and my many failures along the way. I share the stories of the conflicts I’ve had to manage and the anxieties I’ve felt. I share the stories of the pivotal moments when major decisions had to be made and the incredible risks taken for the Kingdom of God and how those worked out. Like everyone, I have had my ups and downs. I’ve had my successes and failures. But through it all, I’ve learned to lean on God for my confidence.

Godly confidence is not something we are born with. It is something we earn over a lifetime. Primarily through hardship and struggle. It is forged in the fires of adversity. It is tempered in times of trial. It is refined through seasons of suffering. As I said, I’ve had my share. When my life was at it’s lowest possible point and I was in danger of losing everything and everyone I loved, God met me in a powerful way. He lifted me up out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground. I learned the truth of David’s words from Psalm 91, “Because He holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” David also had a godly confidence. It’s what led him into the valley to meet Goliath. It’s what won him victory after victory against the Philistines. It’s what sustained him when he was falsely accused and hunted down by King Saul. David knew God was with him. He trusted God to lead and guide him. He took great risks and leveraged everything he had over and over again in service of the Lord. And he never lost sight of God’s protection. He never took advantage of his position. Even when he had King Saul at his mercy, he refused to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. He knew his time would come and it would be by God’s hand not his that he would become king.

Once you hit rock bottom and find God waiting for you there, there isn’t much that will shake you. Once you’ve been through the fires of adversity and God leads you to the other side, there isn’t much that can break you. Once God takes your life down to the studs and begins building you back again, you find yourself no longer placing your trust in the things of this world. Success. Wealth. Power. Position. None of it matters except that it put to use to expand and grow the Kingdom of God. I’ve staked my life on this truth. I’ve watched God do His miraculous work through His people time and time again. I’ve been privileged to have a front row seat to the movement of the Holy Spirit as He transforms so many lives. I’ve experienced the sufficiency of the gospel over and over again in my own life despite my foolishness and failures. God is able, friends! God is MORE than able to do MORE than we can ever ask or imagine. Trust Him with your life today!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals for today

True Confidence

Readings for today: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

Perhaps it’s because I’m preparing to kick off a new series on Sunday on the “Spirit-filled” life but I loved reading these Psalms today. I love the confidence the Psalmist expresses in God. I love that the Psalmist looks to God for his strength and help and hope in time of need. I love that the Psalmist trusts God to answer his prayers and come to his side no matter how dark the circumstances. I find myself reciting his words over and over again.

“I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.” (Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

“I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help. Like servants, alert to their master’s commands, like a maiden attending her lady, We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. ” (Psalms‬ ‭123‬:‭1‬-‭3 ‭MSG‬‬)

“God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth.” (Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

“Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain: Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain you can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles his people— always has and always will.” (Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬‬-2 ‭MSG‬‬)

“All you who fear God, how blessed you are! how happily you walk on his smooth straight road! You worked hard and deserve all you’ve got coming. Enjoy the blessing! Soak in the goodness!” (Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

“O Israel, wait and watch for God— with God’s arrival comes love, with God’s arrival comes generous redemption. No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel, buy back Israel from captivity to sin.” (Psalms‬ ‭130‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

When the Risen Christ ascended bodily into heaven, He left us a precious gift. The gift of the Holy Spirit. And with that gift comes divine power and authority. Power to overcome any adversity the evil one might bring your way. Authority to command even the demons to flee. It is the power to advance His Kingdom here on earth. The power to preach the gospel to all who do not yet believe. The power to be His witnesses - literally, his “martyrs” - in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

What does this mean for us? It means He has given us power to serve as His ambassadors wherever we find ourselves today. At work. At home. In our neighborhoods or schools. On vacation or enjoying retirement. Wherever you are, God has put you there. Wherever you are going, God has sent you there. He has given you His power and authority to accomplish all the work He has for you in that place. Believe this as the Psalmist did! Look to Him as the Psalmist did! Lift your eyes above your circumstances! Above your struggles! Above your challenges! Above your heartaches and heartbreaks! Trust in His grace, love, and power!

Readings for tomorrow: None