Every Reason To Be Confident

EVERY REASON TO BE CONFIDENT

“From the rising of the sun to the time when it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” - Psalm 113:3 (NIV).

“From where the sun rises to where the sun sets, the name of the LORD should be praised.” Psalm 113:3 (GWT).

All the time and everywhere, the name of the LORD should be praised!

The Lord can speak through the Word and wise teaching, but even a donkey in Numbers 22:28.  And yesterday He spoke to me through a fortune cookie.

Straightening out the pantry I had come across some leftover fortune cookies.  I usually listen to sermons while cleaning, but yesterday the house was quiet.  Lost in my thoughts, I was feeling inadequate.

Before throwing the cookies in the trash, I thought just for fun, I would crack them open and check the fortunes inside.  One said good news was coming.  Another said to hold fast to my dreams.  The last one said,

“You have every reason to be confident.”

What a joke! I was just considering my incompetence and this little strip of paper was telling me that I had every reason to be confident.  I tossed the fortune in the trash and a torrent of verses flooded my mind.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58.

The confidence I need does not come from my capabilities or who I am.  My confidence comes from what HE did and WHOSE I am.  I am HIS and HE is MINE (Song of Songs 6:3)!

Father, we come before You.  We were adopted into Your family out of love, not expectation of our perfection. You are perfection for us.  We don’t have to attain righteousness or have every skill.  You will equip us.

We have the imputed righteousness of Christ, a future and a hope, and a way of escape from temptation.  You will never leave us nor forsake us, and nothing can separate us from Your love. (Romans 8:39). NOTHING.  Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Every sin is eternally and irreversibly expunged.  There is no past that holds us back.  It has all been washed away.

Father, we ask for them a fresh confidence in who You are and whose we are.

You speak to us through the Word, wise counsel, donkeys, and every once in a great while, in a fortune cookie.  You use the foolishness of this world to confound the wise (I Corinthians 1:27).

Help us to take up these truths and wrap ourselves in them.  Then may we walk in strength and honor, knowing Who You are, Whose we are and that, in You, we have every reason to be confident. At all times and everywhere, may the Name of the Lord be praised!   In Jesus’ Name ❤️

Dear friend, are you feeling incompetent and ill-equipped to meet the tasks before you? When we look at ourselves, we are bound to feel either prideful or incompetent — both can be traps set by the enemy. If the Lord gives you an assignment, He will equip and empower you. Turn your eyes to the Lord.  He has everything you need and He deserves all of the glory! 💡

If you have been encouraged or challenged, please repost and further His kingdom.  Then come, follow and be refreshed at:
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