Message: You're going to have trouble and trials which can seem strong enough to shake your confidence. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him in all things to maintain a confidence. Historically, Hebrews was written by Paul in 70AD before the destruction of the temple and the capture of Jerusalem. Paul is building up the Christians and Gentiles on God's faithfulness during the trials. He was addressing their fears and enabling them to have confident hope (boldness in Greek) in God. It is vital to believe His purpose and plan for us. A loss of confidence can be equated to a soldier dropping his shield and fleeing in battle. Called as a soldier of the Lord, the devil will attack to question your integrity. We are reminded of the strength of the Lord in our faith in Psalm 27:1 and our defense in Hebrews 10:34 against the weapons of the devil. The key is to know within yourself, heaven thinks of you better. Waiting for "something" to give you substance leads to hunger unsatisfied and always missing the mark. God is all we need. It is boldness, a leap of faith and trusting in the One who knows it all. Christ as the Lord of our life, is faith in operation, generating boldness and access to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Faith defined in Hebrews 11:1-2 is hope from things unseen, which gives good report according to the Word of God and gives Him glory. However, going to God with boldness of faith causes suffering, but He promises reward for it, justice. We can miss Christ's plan for us and our time with Him when we take our eyes off Him in our impatience. God is in the process of transforming us, testing our faith with patience, because He can solve anything. The work of righteousness will continually be performed in us, helping us to become fully confident in God, not ourselves, completing His plan and purposes. Wisdom and our days are from God, rejoice in it, be lifted up and remembered. Let your confidence remain amidst the trials and temptations, hold up your weapons, be strong in the Lord, trust Him all your days and into eternity.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:35-36 "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." KJV
