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Part 2- Strengthening
Your Confidence in God
Don't you just
hate it when you have a problem and people say, "Just
trust God"?
First of all, you already know that
you should trust God, but for some strange reason you
still have fears and doubts. Then, you feel guilty for
not having more faith.
Don't worry. Experiencing doubt
and fear is part of the process. You will go through
it at various times in your life as a Christian and
you will overcome it. Surprisingly, going through seasons
of uncertainty is exactly what builds our faith and
our confidence in God.
One of the great heroes
of the Bible was David--a warrior, worshiper, and king who
was known for his faith and confidence in God. David's bold
trust in God empowered Him to go from unknown shepherd boy
to world-renowned king. What was David's secret? He knew how
partner with God to do the impossible.
Look at these eight keys
David used, and you can use too, to strengthen your confidence
in God.
Key 1: There must
be something TOO big for you to handle on your own or something
totally beyond your control. (This part is a piece of cake;
most of us are already there.)
For David, one of his
challenges was to defeat Goliath, a giant warrior (over
9 feet tall) who terrified the armies of Israel. David was
just a young boy with no experience as a soldier. So fighting
Goliath was a stretch of the imagination, but David volunteered
to do it on behalf of the Lord of Israel. (Read 1 Samuel
17 for the entire story)
Key 2: Even though
you already know there is nothing you can do about "it,"
please stop trying to handle "it" yourself anyway.
David recognized that
his own strength and abilities would not accomplish the
task. He knew he had to depend on God.
Key 3: Spend more
time just enjoying the presence of God and appreciating Him
for who He is.
David was known for
spending time with God in prayer and worship. (David wrote
the book of Psalms. Worship and prayer was often his response
to trouble. (Read Psalms 23 as an example of David's faith
in dark times.)
Key 4: Recognize
on a daily basis that God wants the best for you and is ready
to assist you.
David never doubted
that God would help him defeat Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:37
David responds to King Saul who was afraid to let him fight
. . . "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the
lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand
of this Philistine."
Key 5: Discipline
yourself to obey the instructions that God gives you. Often
His leading is just a sense that you need to make changes
in some areas or do a particular thing. Do whatever He says,
even if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient.
David decided to fight
Goliath with just a slingshot and a small smooth stone even
though he was offered the sword and armor of King Saul.
Why? Because that's the weapon he used in previous times
when he killed a bear and a lion and he had a sense of peace
in using that method.
David said to the Philistine,
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,
but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty
. . ." (1 Samuel 17:45)
Key 6: Don't allow
fear and discouragement stop you from trying.
" . . . the Philistine,
with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer
to David. He looked David over and saw that he was only
a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. He said
to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?"
And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. "Come
here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the
birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" (1 Samuel
17: 41-44)
David did not let the
taunts of Goliath scare him. He responded to Goliath in
confidence based on his trust in God, "All those gathered
here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the
LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give
all of you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:47)
Key 7: Don't turn
back when trouble comes.
"As the Philistine
moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the
battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking
out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the
forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell
facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine
with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he
struck down the Philistine and killed him." (1 Samuel
17: 48-50)
Key 8: Celebrate
and record how God moved on your behalf. Remember the "lions"
and "bears" in your life that God has already helped
you defeat. This is ammunition for future battles. When you
recall God's faithfulness, you will have
more confidence in Him the next time you face a challenge.
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