Rejected Confidences

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The word confidence is connected with the ideas of faith and trust. We put confidence in what we trust is reliable and dependable, in what is trustworthy. But, like Soloman said -- "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." (Proverbs 25:19)

The pains and adverse circumstances arising from misplaced trust is a common human experience. The Psalmist understood this as well as did Solomon, saying:

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118: 8,9)

Yes, there is no one who can be trusted as the Lord. He is worthy of our fullest trust. To trust in any other, or in our own selves, is worse than the pain of a broken tooth or the ach of a broken joint. Yet, many never learn to place their trust in the Lord, placing their confidence in things worthless. So said the prophet to his people:

"...the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them." (Jer. 2:37)

To trust in man, in the arm of man, in the wisdom of man, or to trust in riches, or in self, will never bring the prosperity of soul and body that all long to have. We Christians are described as being:

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Ph'p. 3:3)

Faith looks outside of self to one mightier, to God himself. Faith does not trust self, but God alone. There is nothing trustworthy in fallen man. He is a lie and a deception, to himself and to others.

Christians are people who have strong confidence because they have a proper object to their trusts, having one who is completely and absolutely trustworthy and the reason for our strong confidence. Notice these passages:

"Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." (Acts 28:31)

"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." (Eph. 3:12)

"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Heb. 3:6)

"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end..." (3:13)

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us..." (I John 5:14)

From whence does this confidence spring? Does it not spring from inner knowledge and experience? Have not the children of God been shown how reliable is their God and how faithful he is to do as he has promised?

We are confident because we have been "taught of God." (John 6:45). He has shown us his reliableness, his faithfulness, his power and goodwill towards us. We have "proven God" as he asked us to do. (Mal. 3:10)

We Christians have "proven" God to be true to his word many times, and each time we realize more and more that he alone is worthy of out utmost trust and confidence. We also have proven, by sad experience, how unreliable and weak are all other objects of our confidence.

Sinner friend, what are you trusting in today?