New Year - New Word

New Year - New Word 2023

01.08.23

Message…

My wife prays every year for God to give her a word. Some inspiring word or phrase, a thought for the year.

I have been inspired by my wife for that. And a little jealous that I never thought to ask for that. I’ve asked for a verse in the past, but not asked for it to be condensed down to a word.

So, I thought to myself I want in on that! ?(There’s nothing like spiritual envy!) I’m going to get me one of those “words”! A word from the Word! A word from the Lord!

Now, I can’t take credit for even asking for my word. Truth is before I even asked for it…God began bringing up a word in everything I’ve been reading.

And, so I thought I would share my word with you (it can be yours to…we can share). ?(If you don’t want to share…get your own word.)

It all started with this verse:

My heart is confident in You, O God; no wonder I can sing Your praises with all my heart! Psalm 108:1

“confident - confidence” -

“the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.”

“...feeling certain about the truth of something.”

Other translations…

O God, my heart is fixed; KJV

My heart is steadfast, O God! ESV

“Confidence” - some people have a lot of it! Some people struggle to find any! What are you confident of?

This is not self confidence but a Spiritual Confidence.

In God you trust. But, just how much do you trust Him!

I’m just beginning to unpack this word myself…let me give you what I have so far… ?(Maybe as the year goes on, as God shares with me, I will share some more with you.)

This “spiritual confidence” keeps coming up in everything I have been picking up lately…

My wife got me a new devotional for Christmas “On Our Knees” by Phil Wickham…very powerful. It hasn’t used the word, “confidence” yet…but, every devotional so far…that’s the backdrop.

In another devotional time I came across…

Psalm 112:6-7

6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

7 They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

Interesting.

Those that are righteous (believers)...do not fear bad news. (repeat)

Now, we don’t ever want bad news.

Someone tells you, “I’ve got good news and bad news”.

I don’t ever want the bad news.

If it is a “good news/bad news” situation… I always want the bad news first. I want to get it over with.

That way the good news serves as a relief/cushion from the sucker punch blow that the bad news brought!

Nobody wants bad news!

Imagine never being afraid of receiving bad news.

I’m not saying bad news won’t come…but, when it comes…you do not have to be afraid! How is that possible?

“...they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”

Psa. 112:7

A commentator of old wrote this…

“A Christian at no time ought to fear either in expectation of evil tidings, or when the tidings actually arrive. And why?

1. Because, if you be troubled, … Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess?

2. Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord, as they do?

3. Further, you must not give way to these doubts and alarms and fears, for, if you do, you will be unfit to meet the trouble.

4. If you give way to fright and fear when you hear of evil tidings, how can you glorify God?”

-Biblical Illustrator

Proverbs 10:24

The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.

We often spend more time believing our fears, rather than the hope of God’s blessing, protection, provision, and leading!

Our spiritual confidence in God can vary…lack, or falter!

You and I as believers are not to be afraid. We are not to live in fear! We are to live in hope! Hope based on our faith in God!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Bad news will happen (we can neither stop it nor control it).

But, we can choose how to respond to it as a child of God with hope in God, rather than someone without hope.

“God does not tell you what He is going to do--He reveals to you who He is.” -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest (Jan. 2)