‘Hope and Confidence and Faith’ - Part Two

 

In Hebrews 10: 35, the Bible records,

Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward (AMP). 

This scripture is preceded by the author's reminder of his audience about the sufferings they had faced.  He puts it this way:  ‘remember the earlier days, when, after being [spiritually] enlightened, you [patiently] endured a great conflict of sufferings, sometimes by being made a spectacle, publicly exposed to insults and distress, and sometimes by becoming companions with those who were so treated,’ (vs 32-34).  Undoubtedly these were turbulent times for the audience.  They had gone through times that saw them endure great conflict to the extent of being a public spectacle.  We may not exactly know what kind of challenge these were – but it was a hard time for the people. 

The author writes then to give hope and encouragement to his audience.  From such a downcast state, how does he get them to embrace a changed mindset so that they can face life with certainty, with hope.  It is here that he reminds them that they have got to remember what aided them in overcoming their great conflict of suffering – their confidence – their confidence in God. 

Dear reader, 2023 is just a day away.  You may be apprehensive and wondering how it will turn out.  Looking back, you may have had numerous, if not enormous amounts of suffering.  You may have lost your source of income, you may have lost a loved one, you may have faced some form of emotional instability due to constrained relationships, or any other kind of negative outcome that debilitates you to an extent that you feel trapped.  Trapped in a snare that cages you in fear of the new year.  Like the author of Hebrews, I write to ask you to call into remembrance your victories in the previous year (s).

Even before I go further, just think of the fact that God has blessed you with life – the oxygen that you are breathing day after day.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, we got to learn of how expensive oxygen is, something that we have taken for granted yet we can’t live without.  I dare you to start from day one of January 2022 till today.  Great!  I am sure that you have more reasons to thank God. 

At the beginning of last year, the Lord helped me to start numbering my days – what do I mean, on the 1^st of January, I knew that I had 364 days remaining in the year.  I think I lost track somewhere in quarter 3 but picked it up in quarter 4.  It is indescribably the feeling I have looking back at each of those days and what God did in each of them.  It completely thaws my spirit to see God’s hand and faithfulness in every single day of the last 364 days.  Words fail me to express my gratitude.  I can only bless and worship God.

Now, you may not have journaled every single day.  But you have lived for 12 months in 2022.  Pick month by month and see the victories of God in your life – if you like it – your achievements or accomplishments.

Do you think it is because you were so smart that your business brought you the returns it did?  (And even if you are, who has given you the ability to be smart?)

Do you think it is because of the insurance cover you have that today you are healthy? 

Day after day you have traveled, whether driving or by public means – who secured you from incidents and accidents?

What is that hidden power behind you being here today?  Isn’t that the power of God?  Is he not the one who caused your contract to be renewed when others were sent home? 

Now, let's face the fears for the new year – where is your confidence?  Is your confidence in your abilities?  Is it in your connections?  Is it in your business or employment? Is it in your medical insurance?  Where is your confidence?

If your confidence in anything that can be shaken, unstable in nature? Then you have reason to be fearful.  For indeed everything is uncertain.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed, leave alone 1^st of January 2023.  But I know who holds it – He is certain.  He has a track-record of completing what he begins.  He’s proven.  If your confidence is Him, I can guarantee you – you have no reason to fear.  Look back at 2022 – see what he has done, and ‘Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward!’ 

Continued in Part Three.