(see also encouragement, confidence)
Defined:
Emphatic declaration, guarantee, certainty.
• Isaiah 12; 2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust and not be afraid, for
the Lord is my strength and my song; He is my salvation.
• Romans 8; 16 For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us
that we really are God’s children.
• 2 Tim 1;12 That is why I am suffering here in jail, I am certainly not ashamed
of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to
safely guard all that I have given him until the day of his return.
• Psalm 55; 22 Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not
permit the godly to slip or fall.
Sometimes in our adult lives, we have to do things, confront someone, go to a
place, or find ourselves in a situation we feel very uncertain about.
We need at those times, someone to say to us: “Yes, you can do this.”
I remember the time while on HMAS PERTH, lying on my belly on the asphalt deck
and having been asked by the Petty Officer to place a magazine in a Styer rifle
ready for firing, I was more than a little hesitant. This was a whole new
ballgame for me and quite of the crew were all standing around watching my
efforts. I had never handled such weapons before and looking up at the Petty
Officer said, “I can’t do it!” He squatted beside me and placed a hand in the
middle of my back. “Yes” I thought, “He is going to be gentleman and load it for
me.” Suddenly, words bellowed in my ear, “Do it.” “Do it!” “Do it now!” ‘YES
SIR!” And the most amazing thing happened, I somehow found the strength and
ability to load that darn rifle and fire it. The kickback nearly killed my
shoulder, but it was worth it to realise that with a bit of encouragement and
assurance – officer style – the task was accomplished, even by a non-combatant
like myself! The Petty Officer grinned down at me and handed me another round of
ammunition. Chaplain or not, I could have kissed him! Assurance and confidence
from other people who can see that you are capable of doing something required
of you is a big lesson learned.
That’s how God sees us! His confidence in us is amazing. He can be confident
because with Christ in our vessels, we can smile at the storms can’t we?
At times, living the life of a Christian, and it can be hard, we need assurance
that God is with us, that what we believe in is very real and that God, Jesus
and the Holy Spirit really exist. Ever had days like that when our very core of
belief is rattled?
God’s heart is ever towards us – His people. When at times we find ourselves
thinking we cannot possibly last another day living in a certain situation, when
we find ourselves longing to be some where else, when we question our ability to
do something which is required of us, remember the words from the bible, Prov
3;26 FOR THE LORD SHALL
BE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND SHALL KEEP YOUR FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.
Psalm 27;14
WAIT ON THE LORD AND BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART;
WAIT I SAY ON THE LORD.
The Word of God is full of assurance and gives confidence to those of us who
believe in it, on it and choose to live by it.
But to have assurance and confidence in someone, we have to know we can trust
them don’t we? Do you have such a relationship with God that you can say to Him,
“I trust you, I have every confidence in you to bring me through this
situation?” Hold your hand out to Him, He is ever willing to take it and walk
with you all the days of your life.
1 John 5;14-15 AND THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN HIM, THAT IF WE ASK
ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARS US; AND IF WE KNOW THAT HE HEARS US,
WHATSOVEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE DESIRED OF HIM.
Remember that we have an adversary, Satan, who goes around the bible says, like
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 58). He accuses us day and
night if we allow him to by trying to undermine our faith in God, ourselves and
each other. (Rev 12;10)
And finally
IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
IF GOD SAYS IT, I BELIEVE IT, SO THAT SETTLES IT!