Recently I had the honour and privilege to be speaking at the NTCG Convention and the theme for the event was ‘CONFIDENCE IN GOD’. What an appropriate theme for the season we are in! 

We are in a world where confidence is being shaken in every way; in government leaders, in the economy, in health care, life in general and much more. 

Also, we live in a world where self-confidence is the phrase of this century. There’s so much talk about self-confidence and how important it is. Yes, confidence is important, however as Christians, do we really think we should be relying on ourselves instead of God? Well, my answer is simple: ‘absolutely not!’

Why do we all need to have confidence in God today in this challenging world? Well, the first step is that we all need to have a relationship with our creator who wants to be our Heavenly Father, for He has made a way through His son Jesus Christ to transfer us from a shaken kingdom to His kingdom which will never be shaken.

And when we are in relationship with God, we have the confidence to not only share our lives with Him but with all those God puts in our path. When we believe that His Word is in us there is nothing that can stop us from reflecting God’s love to others and helping others to discover and embrace God for themselves. We can experience confidence in the most reliable person in the world; our Lord and Saviour.

Let’s look closely at four areas where we can be confident in God:

• Confidence in God’s providence

God’s providence is God’s caring provision for his people as he guides them in their journey of faith through life, accomplishing his purpose in and through them. Remember, God’s ultimate mission is to save people and shape them to be more like Christ.

• Confidence in God’s purpose 

This declares why you exist. It captures the heart of why you are on this planet Earth and why Jesus died for you. It defines your life, not in terms of what you think but in terms of what God thinks about you. In fact, it anchors your life in the character and call of God and brings meaning to your life. 

Please never forget that all human beings were and are created with the intent of not just experiencing life but enjoying abundant living. And that is for you too! They were created to experience fruitfulness and growth, multiplication and expansion, and much more, and they are all part of God’s plan. Remember, we are called to be good stewards of everything that God has entrusted us with during our time here on earth, so let’s not confuse purpose with performance. Too many lose their ultimate purpose because they focus only on what gratifies their ego – so beware! 

• Confidence in God’s presence 

God’s presence is everywhere. This is sometimes called Omnipresence.

Moses declared, ‘I will not go unless your presence comes with me’ (see Exodus 33:15 NIV). Moses knew the value of God’s presence, so much so that he essentially said, ‘unless God’s presence is with me, my life is meaningless’.

However, knowing God’s presence is one thing, but knowing his manifested presence is another. Too many have no knowledge of His presence apart from their initial encounter at salvation. Although they are carrying His presence with them wherever they go, in reality they have never experienced His manifested presence in their daily lives. If that is you, let me encourage you: allow God by His Holy Spirit who lives within you to be manifested in you and through you, and I can promise you that your world will change for ever.

• Confidence in God’s power 

Scripture tells us ‘”not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit” says the Lord’ (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

We have been given power, by faith, to govern and control all things, both temporal and spiritual. To work miracles, to become victorious and not victims, to stand in the presence of God and be like Him because we have received the gift of faith, and through Christ have access to His power. In other words, let us use the fulness of the Godhead that lives within us and experience victorious living.

Let’s briefly look at what God declares in His Word about ‘CONFIDENCE IN HIM’: 

‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).

‘For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught’ (Proverbs 3:26 ESV).

‘And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us’ (1 John 5:14 ESV).

‘Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.’ (Hebrews 10:35 ESV)

Yes, we all need to have confidence in God, but the real question is; where does true confidence come from? Well, Scripture tells us it can only come from Christ. Why? Because He is not only the way and the life but He is truth Himself, and if your confidence is coming from any other source, it will fail you in the end. So today, put your confidence in the one who really cares for you and wants you to enjoy life to the full, and His name is Jesus. 

So, what is confidence and why is it so important for us today as believers to know what it truly means, as opposed to its meaning in modern society?

Well, confidence can be described as faith, trust, belief and much more.

God’s confidence is when your faith is rooted and grounded in who you are in Jesus Christ. 
It is about being confident in who God is, in the finished work of Christ on the cross and experiencing the power of His resurrection.

It means completely relying on the strength of God and not your own strength. 

God’s confidence has unlimited possibilities when we are truly confident and secure in who we are in Christ.

People’s opinions and views of us cannot control us; they cannot define us or our future. What matters is God’s view of you and who he says you are.

Your new life as you know it is wrapped up in Christ and in Christ you are a new creation. so BE CONFIDENT IN HIM WHO IS, WHO WAS, AND WHO WILL BE. He is immovable, incredible, His providence can be relied upon. Remember, He has made us purposeful, He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us and He has given us all authority and power to be victorious in this life. So today, enjoy your relationship with your God and PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HIM.