“The effect of righteousness will be . . confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17 NIV
Righteousness is the only sure foundation for living confidently.
My thoughts and comments today are about “living confidently.”
Don’t you admire those people who exude confidence, never appearing to wrestle with self-doubt or uncertainty? You can live confidently. Not everyone does. Some people seem to have ample confidence while others are sorely lacking. Have you wondered about the secret of living confidently? We know what confidence looks like; we don’t always know its source. You can counterfeit an air of confidence; many people do, hoping no one sees behind their false bravado.
Don’t confuse arrogance with confidence, your own or others’. Today’s culture would suggest, “Success breeds confidence.” Some might propose, “Affluence affords confidence.” Another may advise, “Experience creates confidence.” In some measure and for some people, those might increase one’s confidence, while for others they simply produce a troubling fear of failure. Masquerading as over-confidence, arrogance can often be just a coping mechanism for fear. What is your fear, failing in the opinion of others or failing in the eyes of God? Your answer reveals where you derive confidence.
You might think confidence results from past successes, or natural talent, or developed abilities, or the supporting estimation of others. Those can be contributing factors. If you have proven abilities, you develop an expectation of further success but no guarantee of it. If you succeed in a particular endeavor, you might feel more confident in similar efforts. But enduring confidence is based on more than your own skills, accomplishments, or previous experience.
Confidence rests on convictions – convictions about God and about yourself being safe in God’s love and will. Read Romans 12:1-2 NIV/Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV. Confidence is only as strong as the foundation upon which it rests. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, wrote, “The effect of righteousness will be . . confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17 NIV. Righteousness is the only sure foundation for living confidently, both presently and forever. “For we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” Hebrews 13:18 NKJV. When you know all is well between you and God, your confidence strengthens and solidifies.
Strengthen Godly conviction and you discover confidence. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV. When you are persuaded with firm conviction that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, you will be confident that you can become who He says you are and do what He calls you to do. Solomon wisely wrote, “For the Lord will be your confidence.” Proverbs 3:26 NIV.
I think David models this inner confidence that steadies one’s heart, whatever the situation of the moment, “Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord; that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:3-5 NKJV. Knowing God and His Word is where you find confidence.
My prayer for you this day is that you remain steadfast in His love.