Maintaining and nurturing spiritual confidence is the act of assuring ourselves that God cares and is approachable. We can talk to Him about anything and everything that concerns us. When Peter and John were on trial before the Sanhedrin who instructed them to stop talking about Jesus, the Jewish leaders were astonished at their courage and wisdom and took note that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Peter and John had confidence because they had spent time with Jesus. They understood that Jesus cared about what they cared about. Hebrews 4:15 & 16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”
The Lord totally understands everything we are facing. He understands our feelings and emotions. He understands what it is like to go through dark times and sufferings. And because we know He feels our pain and understands our circumstances, we can confidently cast our cares on Him knowing He cares of us. (I Peter 5:7) The courage and boldness of confidence comes from spending time with the Lord.
I John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” When we understand the vastness of God’s love for us and the extent to which His love has gone in order to redeem us and to bless us, it gives us confidence to approach Him in prayer casting our care on His infinite love.
Activity:
Set apart some time today to spend with Jesus telling Him about the things that concern you. Write down what you sense He is speaking to you and how what He is speaking encourages your confidence that His love will carry you through.