Confidence in the Lord

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.

—Proverbs 14:26, NKJV

 

Living in the fear of the Lord is not being afraid of Him! It is honoring and trusting Him about all else in your life. Living in the fear and respect of God is a powerful truth that sets you free from the opinions of men. It gives you strong confidence in your relationship with God and the way He directs you to minister to others. 

 

The fear of the Lord guides you to make good decisions that are impartial and not subject to the lobbying of people with their self-interests. Yes, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—the way Jesus ministered and the only way you and I should serve Him.

 

When we fear and respect God over any man, we have no reason to fear anything. We have confidence that God, who began a good work in us, is the only one with the power and authority to complete it. We know that within ourselves or within the opinion of any other person, there is no power.

 

Even though we do not live by the opinions of men, it is to our greatest benefit and the benefit of others to seek wise godly counsel from those that we completely trust. 

 

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.

—Proverbs 19:20, NKJV

 

We need the counsel of others to help us fulfill the vision God has given us. He never calls us to achieve His purposes alone. Being open to godly counsel helps us to see more clearly God’s plans and how to fulfill His will in our life. It also helps us to help others to fulfill God’s will in their own lives.

 

Sometimes the counsel we have sought does not bear witness with us. But do not immediately refuse it! Wait! Put what you believe is from God and what you have been told on a shelf for a while. Pray about the counsel you have received. Do not allow your vision or the advice you have been given to dominate you. Your vision is never about you. It is about God’s plans to work through you—to disciple and edify others. Be teachable. After praying about the counsel you have received and allowing the Holy Spirit time to show you, you have prepared your heart to follow God’s direction. Whatever you have peace about is from God.  

 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

—James 3:17, NKJV

 

Walking in the respect of the Lord, is never about you! Confidence in Christ rises from Christ within you, the hope of glory. 

 

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

—Hebrews 10:35, NKJV

 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

—Ephesians 3:20, NKJV

 

 

© 2021 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2021/08/confidence-in-the-lord.html