How is your confidence level these days? Oil spills that cannot be stopped, countries that have obvious dislike for each other, jobless rates that are still very high, and personal circumstances that you cannot control are just a few of the clouds that hover over us. Troubling world events and personal struggles are part of our existence, and will be until our Father chooses to set all things right. Just reading these words may make you wonder how you could possibly have any confidence. But think for a moment, isn’t it about where we place our confidence that gives us hope?
History has proven that the world is often in chaos, and individuals will struggle with the “issues” that are rooted in our being selfish, sinful beings. But God has boldly declared through Scripture, that in the midst of it all, we can have peace in chaos, and joy on the journey. His design is clear, however, only those who have a relationship with Christ can have a real and true, confident hope.
But I struggle with the fact that even Christ followers live too horizontally, and therefore forfeit God’s available peace. When we live horizontally, there will always be an issue in front of us that creates discouragement. But those who will focus on the vertical relationship (with the Father) will move beyond earthbound thinking. Colossians 3:2 says to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”.
In a hard to find portion of the Old Testament we are given some incredible insight into how a man called Habakkuk viewed his issues. He saw a world unsettled and had to make decisions for himself. He directed his confidence to someone who could control things. Not bad counsel for today!
Habakkuk 3:17-20
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk’s model of confidence will not solve all the political ills of our world, or make all of our personal circumstances magically disappear. But it will help us direct our faith to its only place of security, the LORD our strength. If those of us who say we are Christ followers live with earthbound doubt, discouragement and anxiety, are we giving those who view our lives the confidence that they need to see?
If you are anything like me, I am very aware of getting too earthbound. Praise gets dim, joy becomes just a cool word, and internally I lose confidence. But you, like me may have experienced deep confidence when praise flows, and seems to comes easily. “God moments” are real and tangible, and my confidence in God’s working becomes contagious. I choose the latter for today….How about you?
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