We all desire a strong confidence in our walk with God, a firm belief built over time within our faith, knowing that He is near as we work out our salvation. This confidence assures us that He will finish the good work He has begun in us, watching over us to do good and guiding events to build a life of faith that glorifies Him. It teaches us to rely on His promises, no matter the circumstances, confident that those He has called will be brought into His Kingdom through the work of our Savior and High Priest, Jesus Christ. God's active role in His creation gives us reason to have strong confidence in Him to fulfill His purpose with each of us as we seek and find Him at the center of our lives. His mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, and lovingkindness, as described in Psalm 36, show how we can put our confidence in Him as He looks after our every need, providing abundant satisfaction and the fountain of life. Confidence is a two-way affair. The trials and testing we endure are largely concerned with our faith and love for Him, as He seeks to have confidence in our obedience. Through testing, as seen with Abraham in Genesis 22, God confirms His confidence in His people, ensuring they are made more complete in their faith and aligned with His purposes. When Abraham obeyed, God declared, "Now I know," and committed to fulfill promises and blessings, demonstrating the strength of mutual confidence in a covenant relationship. This mutual confidence extends to human relationships as well, where trust and faithfulness are vital. When confidence is compromised, relationships falter, but with God, confidence built over a lifetime of sacrificial love produces perfect peace. Isaiah 30:15 reminds us that in quietness and confidence shall be our strength, supported by God's faithfulness in times of temptation, as affirmed in I Corinthians 10:13, ensuring we are not tested beyond what we can bear. Even in moments of personal discouragement, we must maintain confidence in God's strength and compassion. Psalm 42:5 encourages us to hope in Him, to praise Him for His help, and to bring any feelings of discouragement to Him for pardon and uplifting. The example of Daniel's companions in Daniel 3 further illustrates complete confidence in God's providential care. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego boldly declared their faith before King Nebuchadnezzar, united in their conviction that they served one God only, regardless of the outcome, showing a powerful lesson of confidence under trial. Confidence is an attribute of strong faith, growing over time as our relationship with God progresses. It supports the outward expression of our faith through good works, giving us assurance that God rewards those whose actions seek to please Him. Hebrews 10:19 urges us to approach Him boldly, with confidence, knowing we are under His care and affection. Hebrews 4:16 further encourages us to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find help in time of need. In contrast, the lie of the serpent in Genesis 3 stripped Adam and Eve of their confidence in God's words, leading them from walking with Him to hiding in fear. Let us not fall into such doubt, but confidently seek Him at all times, boldly coming before His throne in faith for all reasons.

Confidence is a matter of faith in what or whom we place our trust. It involves a high degree of certainty and requires that we act in accordance with our expectations or hopes. Although we may have confidence in others, we should have an even greater confidence in God, standing with Him as His people. Confusion causes anxiety and fear, undermining our sense of security if we allow it to take hold. Just as the Israelites wavered in their confidence when faced with the unknown after leaving Egypt, we too can falter when God's plans are unclear to us. Their fear grew when they could not see what God would do next, revealing a lack of true faith in His dependability. Moses demonstrated varying responses to the Israelites' provocations, showing both steadfast leadership and despair. Initially, he led with calm assurance, chastising their grumbling and promising provision, which inspired temporary confidence in the people. Later, overwhelmed by their continued complaints, Moses fell into despair, doubting even God's ability to provide, until supported by seventy elders whose united confidence in God's protection and provision became contagious, helping Moses overcome his despair. Confidence in God brings mental stability, discernment, and wisdom, enriching our lives and making them secure without fear. Trust placed in God will never disappoint, unlike confidence in oneself or others, which often leads to disappointment and ruin. Finite beings cannot bring the fulfillment that God does, as only He has control over life circumstances. Those who trust in God will not be brought down by deceit, lies, or confusion, for God is their firm foundation. A person with deeply-rooted faith in God's truth remains firm amid the world's distractions, governed by His eternal promises rather than worldly instability. Confidence in where we stand with God enables us to approach Him knowing we will be loved and heard because of our redemption. Faith in Him grants us access to His throne of grace, where we may come boldly for mercy without hesitation, assured that our prayers will be heard. God is always there, never leaving us, and whatever He decides is good. With God as our confidence, we need not worry about crises or disasters, for only good will come to us according to His will.

This world often promotes self-confidence as a sign of capability, encouraging individuals to manufacture it through self-affirmation and bold declarations. However, there exists a profound difference between self-confidence and godly confidence. Godly confidence, as exemplified by Saul after his transformation, is rooted in faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, maintaining boldness but aligning it with divine purpose. Similarly, David's confidence before Goliath was not mere self-promotion but a reflection of trust in God's anointing. Jesus Christ Himself displayed boldness when driving the money changers from the Temple, yet He also demonstrated the importance of silence during His trial, showing that there is a time for confidence and a time for restraint. Phillip, too, exhibited godly confidence when he boldly explained the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch, fulfilling a divine opportunity with assurance grounded in faith. True confidence, therefore, is not self-derived but intertwined with belief and faith in God's will.

There is a cheerful confidence that must not be cast away, for God has assured us that with His help, we can navigate these challenging times. This confidence, rooted in faith, supports and motivates us through the difficulties of our pilgrimage, guiding us to press forward with the reality of hope in God's spiritual Promised Land. It is this same confidence that enabled those great figures of the past to endure, living by faith despite the hardships they faced. Even in the midst of the worst of times, marked by unique and intense evil, we are called to maintain this positive, hope-filled attitude, trusting in the revelation and gifts God has provided to help us negotiate our path.