Where does your confidence lie?

I’ve covered this idea before, I know – maybe more than once. No apologies though. This is what stood out to me as I read on in 2 Chronicles and it bears repeating.

In these chapters, the kings are constantly under threat from attack by surrounding nations. Each time, they have one of two responses. They rely on God or they rely on their own strength. They have confidence in God’s power or confidence in the strength of their armies. They humbly recognise their own weakness and trust in God’s power or they proudly cling to their own power and authority.

For example  –

 Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: “A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi.”

Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed.  2 Chronicles 20:1-3

And then there’s King Uzziah. He became king in Jerusalem when he was 16 and reigned for 52 years. He starts off well –

He behaved well in the eyes of God, following in the footsteps of his father Amaziah. He was a loyal seeker of God. He was well trained by his pastor and teacher Zechariah to live in reverent obedience before God, and for as long as Zechariah lived, Uzziah lived a godly life. And God prospered him.  2 Chronicles 26:1-3

And then so often, when things are going well, he takes his eyes off God and starts to believe his own good press –

But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell. One day, contemptuous of God, he walked into The Temple of God like he owned it and took over, burning incense on the Incense Altar.  2 Chronicles 26:18

Which didn’t end well. He developed a skin disease that meant that he had to live in quarantine for the rest of his life. His pride brought him low.

And then the next king is Jotham –

Jotham’s strength was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God.  2 Chronicles 27:6

See what I mean? This is what is noteworthy. This is what the writer deems worthy of mention. Where your strength lies. Where your confidence is rooted.

It reminds me of the story of Peter walking towards Jesus on the water….

‘Help! I can’t do this!

Help! I can only do this in your strength.

Hey, look what I’m doing!

Aaargh, maybe not!

Help! I can’t do this!

Help! I can only do this in your strength.’

I don’t think I need to spell it out, do I?

It’s all about having the right measure of confidence.

No confidence at all and you cannot even get out of bed in the morning. You can’t make decisions about what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, let alone more important decisions about whether to stop your daughter to that particular party or which path of action to recommend to your manager.

Too much confidence and your ego becomes inflated. You believe you can do it all. Bigger and better than anyone else. Your opinion is the most important. Everyone needs to do it your way.

My confidence fluctuates on a daily basis. Sometimes it is simply the grace of God that allows me to carry on. Other times, I become over-confident and take unnecessary risks and take on too much and make bold promises I can never deliver on.

That’s why I like this song, based on a much older hymn. Because it reminds me that I do need God in my life every single day.

CORNERSTONE

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.

I will never be able to go it alone. Why would I want to when the God of the whole universe loves me and wants to be involved in my life? Jesus taught us to pray ‘Give us our daily bread’ to remind us that God is the source of all good things, including our food, but also to remind us of our daily need for God in our lives – to provide what we need in any given situation……wisdom, peace, courage, inspiration, a friendly face, a cup of tea….whatever.

If I start to believe in my own strength and abilities too much, then everything begins at some point to fall apart. Actually, enough bad stuff happens in my world on a daily basis to keep me humble and remind me of my weaknesses and failings (as a parent, for example!).

We can each walk on water – whatever that means for you and looks like for you today – if we have the confidence to step out of the boat and keep our eyes fixed on the source of that confidence.

I rest on his unchanging grace.