RELYING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR CONFIDENCE

This song of thanksgiving delivers a promise to God’s people. The day will come

when the offspring of Jesse, Jesus the Son of God, will establish his kingdom on earth

from His throne in Jerusalem. They will sing that God is their salvation and their source

of trust. They don’t need to be afraid, the Lord is their source of stability, safety and

power. The Israelites proved time and again that they didn’t believe the words and

looked to other gods. At times, we all fall into that temptation. As a caregiver, where is

my focus?

Faced with overwhelming tasks, we can easily take our eyes off the Lord and

shift to worry and anxiety. Can you believe instead in God’s love and courage that are

guiding and strengthening you? Is fear of the unknown holding you back? Do you need

more confidence? I know, I do, but not self-confidence, God-confidence! Having God-

confidence means you put your faith in God, trusting that Has equipped you to do

whatever you need to do in life. Perhaps one step forward and two back at times,

nonetheless.

Do you agree there’s a huge difference between a Christian who just tries to

make it on their own and one who relies on the Holy Spirit to enable them to fulfill the

call on their lives. The Holy Spirit can be everywhere, all the time and because He lives

within us believers, He is always with us. It is stirring to absorb that the Holy Spirit is

always with us and that He’s the Strengthener we need in every area of life. Further

evidence is found in John 15:26, “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from

the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, He will testify to Me.”

The goal is to gain awareness that our confidence comes from knowing who we

are in Christ, leading us not be controlled by fear, worry or anxiety. Some scriptures to

help us remember this and that we need to continue placing our confidence in the Lord.

“So, whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold,

new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. “For we are His handiwork, created in

Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live

in them,” Ephesians 2:10. Praying with these will nourish you further.

Living with God-confidence means stepping out into the unknown with hope and

expectation to experience something new, that is God-led. Despite any storms, as we

walk in faith, listening to the Holy Spirt and trusting in God’s love, we will gain a new

freedom to become all God calls us to be.