Confidence in God
Do you feel confident? What does confidence mean to you and how does it manifest itself in your life? Jeremiah shows us how he experiences confidence: «Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and the Lord has become his confidence!» (Jeremiah 17,7). Here it is revealed that trust in God is not only a blessing, but that God himself is the embodiment of confidence. Whoever trusts in God has the confidence of God within him. In the Bible passages where Luther uses the word confidence, other translators preferred terms such as protection, trust, refuge, support or hope. David describes his relationship with God as follows: "For you are my hope, O Lord, my refuge from my youth" (Psalm 71,5). His experience with God is described in further words: "You answer us wonderfully in righteousness, O God of our salvation, the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of the dry sea" (Psalm 65,6).
Can God the Father and his Son Jesus the Messiah also be this confidence, hope, protection, refuge and support for us, in whom we fully trust? God knows our weaknesses, concerns and reservations that prevent us from placing our trust completely in the Lord. That is why he encourages us: "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 1:14). 4,16 Dr. Hermann Menge translated the Greek word «parresia» as joyful confidence. We can therefore approach our Father joyfully and confidently, for he is merciful and gracious.
In the letter to the Hebrews we read that we can enter the sanctuary with joyful confidence: “Therefore, dear brothers, since we have the joy of entering the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus—the new and living way which he has opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh—and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another to provoke love and good works” (Hebrews 1:14). 10,19-24 crowd). Finally, the exhortation follows: “Do not throw away your confident confidence, for it brings with it a great reward” (verse 35).
The commentary on these verses by Fritz Rienecker, who wrote the Bible lexicon, really appealed to me: "The 'parresia', this joyful confidence, is the hallmark of Christian certainty of salvation. We have confidence in entering the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus. In the old covenant, only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies, but the community of the new covenant, atoned for by the blood of Jesus, can always confidently go directly before God. They have the freedom and authority to do so, or rather confidence! Christ himself entered the holy of holies as a forerunner, as a scout sent ahead, and made it possible for his community to follow him. This access was consecrated by Jesus as a living path, a path that is new and living; it did not exist until now and is tied to the living person of Jesus Christ. Christ himself becomes in his person the access and path to God."
Now let us consider another aspect of confidence: public speaking. The Greek word «parresia» is also translated as boldness. Paul speaks to the deacons in the following verses: «But those who carry out their ministry well gain for themselves a good reputation and much boldness (confidence) in the faith of Christ Jesus» (1. Timothy 3:13).
In private, many Christians find it easy to talk about God and faith. It is a greater challenge to testify or represent faith publicly. Here, boldness, openness and confidence are urgently needed. John and Peter were interrogated before the High Council, and the leaders were amazed at their courage and openness: "But they saw the boldness of Peter and John and were amazed, for they perceived that they were unlearned and simple men, and they also knew that they had been with Jesus. And they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, and they had nothing to say against it" (Acts of the Apostles). 4,13-14).
After the two disciples were back with the other disciples, they unanimously raised their voices in prayer: "And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. And as they prayed, the place where they were assembled shook; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts of the Apostles). 4,29 and 31). This boldness, this confident openness of the disciples, was extraordinary; the disciples immediately recognized that this joyful confidence was a gift from God.
Paul also recognized that joyful confidence, this boldness, is an essential element in the proclamation of the gospel: “Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being alert to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and for me, that I may be given utterance when I open my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 1:14). 6,18-19).
In his difficult situation, Paul was able to pass on the message of salvation, the gospel, and many persecuted Christians in our time do the same. They do not allow themselves to be held back by circumstances; they continually see doors opening unexpectedly and offering a path to joyful confidence.
If we research the word confidence, we learn that in Old High German it means "foresight" (foresight or foresight). Paul had this foresight, he knew what would happen at the end: "For I know that at the end of everything I am going through, I will be saved, through your prayers and through the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:1-4). 1,19 New Geneva translation).
Let us trust in God's guidance and allow ourselves to be filled with his grace and mercy. In times of uncertainty and doubt, it is God's confidence that sustains and strengthens us. Let us come before the throne of grace with courage and joyful confidence to receive mercy and timely help. Strengthened by this divine confidence, we can then confess our faith publicly and let the light shine through our lives. Let us trust that God is our confidence, now and forever.
by Hannes Zaugg
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