CONFIDENCE WITHOUT CONCEIT
PSALM 119:73-80
INTRODUCTION
A. Conceit is sometimes mistaken for confidence, and confidence is mistaken for
conceit. The key to distinguishing one from the other is in the word trust.”
B. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector was directed at those who trusted in themselves (Lk 18:9-10).
C. Paul expressed confidence that he could do all through Christ (Phil 4:13).
1. Paul was not for one moment suggesting that God hands us a blank check to withdraw from heaven’s riches as it pleases us.
2. When we examine Paul’s words in context, we see that he is talking about the obstacles he has faced in fulfilling his ministry. As is true of every soldier who goes into battle, Paul faced many dangers (2 Cor 11:24-29).
3. When he told the Philippians that he could do all things through Christ, who strengthened him, he was in prison, not knowing whether he would live or die (Phil 1:19-20). But he trusted God that whether he lived or died, God would be glorified (Phil 1:19-24).
D. David’s trust in the Lord is our model for our daily lives.
I. WE WALK BY FAITH
A. “Your hands have made me” (v.73a) acknowledges the first absolute of Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God.
B. The words, “Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments” (v.73b), acknowledge the second absolute of Hebrews 11:6: “and that he rewards those who seek him.”
C. When our trust is in God, we will confidently petition him as did David (Matt 7:7-11).
D. Trusting God to meet our needs, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves, is different from demanding God’s gifts.
II. WE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
A. Our best “buds” should be God’s faithful servants (vv. 74, 78, 79).
B. Jesus ate with sinners, preferring their company to that of the hypocrites. However, we go astray if we believe that this preference was because he embraced their lifestyle over that of true believers. Jesus fellowshipped with sinners because he had a mission (Lk 5:31-32).
C. When seeking to rescue others from the clutches of Satan, we must be willing to get our hands dirty and run some risks while trusting God, as did Paul. However, if we do not want to keep company with the committed regularly, we will either drain our spiritual batteries of power or be seduced by the lifestyle of the conceited. This is the thought behind the familiar exhortation of Hebrews 10:19-25).
D. I’m reminded of a song sung by Loretta and Conway Twitty: “There’s Nothing Cold as Ashes”
The song justifies unfaithfulness to one’s mate because the marital fires have gone out.
"Love is where you find it
When you find no love at home
And there's nothin' cold as ashes
After the fire is gone
E. Jesus warns of love grown cold (Matt 24:12-13).
D. When love for the family of God grows cold, one will find comfort in the arms of the devil.
III. WE REST IN GOD’S LOVE AND MERCY
A. God’s comfort is anchored in his steadfast love: “let your steadfast love comfort me” (v.76a; Lam 3:22-24).
B. Once again, we see the importance of the question, “Who do you trust?” Do we trust God’s mercy, love, and grace, or do we trust our works?
1. We are God’s workmanship created for good works (Eph 2:10).
2. Walking in the works of God is different from offering our own filthy rags to him, believing that he will receive them (Isa 64:6).
C. Trusting God’s love and mercy, we do not flee from our guilt nor try to whitewash it, as did Israel of old. After giving a bill of indictment against Israel for their sins, God speaks: “And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken” (Ezek 22:28, NIV).
D. Confidence without conceit is ours when we enter God’s presence boldly, not on our own merits, but on those of Christ who “entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12).
CONCLUSION
A. Who do you trust? The question must be asked.
B. Who do you trust? The question must be answered.
