HOLD ONTO YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD
Confidence here is the feeling/belief that you can rely on God. It is having faith/ certainty in God or having an assurance of good relationship with God. Confidence is also boldness of dependence in God after a realization of our acceptance by Him. Confidence is also a conviction that one’s destiny is secure in God. To “hold onto” in this case means to endure in difficult circumstances or situations. To “hold onto”
Is the opposite of casting away/ throwing away/ letting go /neglecting/ forsaking/ leaving alone or divorcing.
In Exodus 12 to 13:21-22, God went before the children of Israel with His presence signified by the pillar of fire and the cloud. During the night He manifested Himself through a pillar of fire to provide both light and suitable temperature for the journey in the dark and cold desert weather. During the day, Gods presence was represented by a pillar of cloud to provide shade and cold breeze in the hot desert weather. What a wise, understanding and caring God to His people! The Israelites were therefore happy and rejoicing after the miraculous deliverance from Egypt that made Pharaoh to “leting them all (and everything they had) go and worship their God” as Moses had demanded. The journey to the promised land was finally on with a lot of excitement. The Israelites confidence in God rated very high (this God who delivers in this manner)!
Confidence in God is tested during challenging moments!
Since testing of our confidence in God is tested when we experience challenges and problems; it is then that holding onto our confidence in God becomes key since one is in danger of throwing it away. The Israelites first testing was when they found themselves between the red sea and the army of Pharaoh that was chasing after them. If not careful, most people, and Israelites here are an example, respond by complaining against God or His servants. The Israelites started asking Moses whether there were no graves in Egypt, where they would have opted to die (Exodus 14:11-12). Oh how quickly they had forgotten the joy they had when they were finally delivered from the hands of Pharaoh, where they were crying to God for deliverance? That is why we are being persuaded not to throw away our confidence (Hebrews 10:35). If one loses the confidence during the testing period, he or she shrinks back or backslides. That is why we are being cheered up that “we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed” (Hebrews 10:38). Therefore, my sister and brother, since challenges will always emerge as long as we are under the sun, during the time of testing, remember to hold on to your confidence in God
Why hold onto our Confidence in God?
There are many reasons in the Bible to compel us not to cast away our confidence but let us consider four (4) from our passages.
Our confidence in God only has a great Reward (Hebrews 10:35)
Our confidence in God and not in anything else has a great reward in the end. all other grounds, though seems appealing are finally sinking sand. God told the Israelites in Exodus 14:13 no not be afraid, to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord. God had strategies in place to make sure the Egyptians were not to be seen again! It is true my brother and my sister, despite the challenges you are going through, God has a salvation plan in place – your confidence in Him will have a great reward!
Your Help is Coming in a little while (Hebrews 10:37)
After you have endured a little while (to demonstrate where and in what your confidence is in), He who is coming will come and will not delay! A singer sang in “Kiswahili” and said;
“Bado kitambo vita vitakwisha, kitambo na dhoruba za poa”
The Lord assured the Israelites that He will fight for them Himself! In the meantime, (still experiencing challenges) they were to hold their peace (Exodus 14:14) and keep their confidence in Him by being convicted that their destiny is secure in God! God had a strategy in place to deal with the red sea, and therefore they ought to “move forward” (Exodus 14:16). Are you feeling as if you have reached the end and there is no way for you to move on with life? Hold your peace, the Lord your God will make a way forward!
The Just Live by Faith (Hebrews 10:38)
We are the children of God who are justified by our Faith in God (Romans 5:1)! And we live by Faith and not by sight! Moses was able to hold onto his confidence in God because he saw Him who is INVISIBLE (Hebrews 1:24). My sister and my brother, although we do not see Him with our canal eyes, the Spirit of God in us gives us assurance that HE IS! Therefore, let us hold on Him and His promises! He is a covenant keeping God!
We are Not of the Type that Backslide! (Hebrews 10:39)
We are not expected to hold on to our confidence in God because circumstances are good! But we should be people with a stand always. You and me should not be the type that shrink back or draw back and leave the Lord (backslide). We should cleave to God, trust and rely in Him because we BELIEVE in Him through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! By so doing, we shall save our souls! Therefore, brethren, let us hold unto our confidence in God to the end.
Dr. Githaiga Gathiira
Pastor, Christian Church International, Murang’a