Confidence Properly Placed

We build confidence in a variety of ways. Once we gain experience doing something, we become confident that we can do it again. Then, with more experience, we gain even more confidence. Effective training also gives us assurance that we are doing things properly and effectively. A good word from a trusted source can also increase our confidence. Building confidence in these ways is well and good for learned skills and behaviors. But, possessing the ability to unselfishly do real and lasting good comes from another source.

II Corinthians 3:5-6 says, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The Holy Spirit gives us power to do good and minister to the needs of others. We should recognize that we do not have this power in ourselves, but we should also never doubt that God makes us sufficient to do the things that produce life and blessings.

Hiding Place

As kids, we often played the game called “Hide and Seek”. The objective was to hide so that the person who was “it” could not find you. If successful, the “it” person would have to give up and call out that you were free. Sometimes, trouble come at us too frequently and too loudly, so that we want to find a hiding place. We want this hiding place to protect us through the storms of life, so that we can emerge successfully and strongly.

Psalm 32:7 says, “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.” Troubles will come. However, God promises to be a safe place for us. He will deliver us securely through our troubles and preserve our blessings and hope. By resting in His strong arms, we become stronger as He preserves us through the storms of life.

What a Shame!

What a shame it would be if a great artist created a beautiful work of art but did not share it with the world. What benefits to others are withheld if a musician creates moving music, but the music is never heard? In the same way, blessings are never received when we withhold our treasures and abilities from serving others.

Proverbs 25:14 says, “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.” When God gives us treasures and abilities, He expects us to use them to bless others, not just keep them for our benefit.

Looking Into the Clouds

I don’t know about you, but I often look at the sky for some sign of incoming weather. Dark clouds threaten rain, while white clouds bring the promise of nice weather. Since I spend a lot of time hiking outdoors, these signs help me to dress properly and know where I may be able to go or not be able to go. Sometimes, we do the same thing with God. We are constantly looking for outward signs as to what we should do when God is assuredly and softly speaking to our hearts.

Exodus 13:21 says, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” Many times God leads His people with outward signs, but more often than not He leads us with inward promptings of His Spirit and with His Word. It is then our responsibility to follow these instructions, as God’s people followed the cloud and the pillar to go where God led them. Ignoring the inward promptings and God’s Word will assuredly lead us to wander in the wilderness rather than go directly to the Promised Land.

Instructions in Faith

As a child, we learned truths in different ways. Our parents and teachers told us some things that we just believed and needed no further instruction. However, there were always some truths that we needed to learn by experience. We were told not to touch the fire, but some of us needed to touch the fire in order to know the why of this instruction. Those of us who mature slowly or not at all, have to repeatedly learn the basic instructions.

Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” In we saved by faith in Jesus, let us grow in that grace by walking with Him and serving Him by faith. Let us move on from the basics of faith to maturity by continuing to walk closely with Jesus, listening to His instructions and experiencing His truths.