WHERE IS YOUR CONFIDENCE?

Philippians 1 verse 6. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Today, we meet Paul. A popular man who had met Jesus, left his past life of sin and whole-heartedly followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. He became a Christian and began spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ; the same gospel which he once persecuted Christians for sharing.

Today’s reading isn’t really about Pauls history or his fame, but it’s to channel our thoughts to think about the choices Paul made in the midst of adversity.

Here, Paul is in chains, being imprisoned by the likes of the ones who previously authorised him to persecute Christians. The life he now lived set him apart to be despised by his peers. Yet in the midst of rejection, insults and beatings, with hands and feet

bound in chains, he chooses to see God in the big picture. His confidence was solid in The One who had orchestrated his life up to that very point, and he knew with all confidence that God will never abandon him.

So, in chains whilst in prison, he writes to other Christians about his confidence. He says with full assurance that he was confident that God, who had started the great work in his life, will never abandon him, but will perfect all He had started. His letter to the Philippian Christians was with so much joy and confidence, though he was in chains.

Where are you now? Are you in a situation that spells loneliness, rejection, despised for your faith, in the waiting room of a phase in your life? Or perhaps you find yourself surrounded by limitations and challenges. What are you saying to yourself? What are you saying in the midst of your situation? Where is your trust and your confidence?

Do you know that God is always with his children? He said in His word, in Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse 8, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Do you know that you are His child and this scripture applies to you as His child?

Paul knew this and more, so he could confidently say in Philippians chapter 1 verse 6 that He who had begun a good work in him will complete it.

Today, God is calling us to trust Him more and to be confident in His promises. Our words and actions tell a lot about where our confidence really lies. So He is calling us today to quit doubting, to quit complaining, to quit relying on the wrong things but to trust Him in our hearts; acting and speaking in line with our trust and confidence in Him.

God is in the maker of heaven and earth. The creator of all things. The orchestrator and definer of our lives. He is always in control.

Please pray this prayer along solemnly as you read these words:

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of life and for all the wonderful things you do for me. I know you are in control of my life. Sometimes, I may have doubted, sometimes I may have acted in fear or given in to pressure. I ask that you please forgive me and enable me to know you more as I read the scriptures and spend more time with you. Help me to trust you more and to be confident in this fact: that I am your child and that you will never abandon me. I thank you because I know you have heard me and you will bring me through my present circumstance, in Jesus name I pray, amen.