Humble and Confident!
Should we be known as being humble or being confident? How about both!
I have a long-time friend of 20 plus years. His name is Dave. Many years ago we worked together. We’ve been separated geographically now for many years and don’t talk often. Nevertheless, when we connect, it is easy and always enjoyable. We have a bit of a strange bond that has endured the test of time. Our mutual admiration is especially interesting in that we are different in so many ways. I’m a devoted Christian and he is an agnostic, as such. I am socially conservative and he is liberal. I’m a republican and he’s a democrat. Nevertheless, we have always liked each other.
I have always considered him to be extremely talented; much more than me. He is highly skilled in business and sales; he is extremely persuasive and influential. Personally, he is charming off the charts. Everyone loves him and wants to be with him. To top it off, every time we play golf, he always manages to beat my score.
With this context, you might find it interesting (at least I do) that one day he said to me, ‘you are the most self-confident, self-assured person I know.’
That statement, coming from him, has stuck with me. You see, I know myself and I know how I struggle with insecurity and often lack confidence.
So, when I read Isaiah 36:4 recently, I said ahhhhhh, maybe that’s it. Maybe that explains why Dave said I was self-confident; which actually isn’t self-confidence at all:
Then Rabshakeh (representative of King Sennacherib of Assyria), said to them, ‘say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, ‘what is this confidence that you have?’”
All the nations and kings were cowering in fear before the great and powerful king of Assyria. But Hezekiah wasn’t.
Why?
For Hezekiah, it wasn’t his self-confidence that the king of Assyria observed, it was his confidence in God. We Christians are often insecure, unsure, and even negative about ourselves and the difficulties of our lives. Just like everyone else, we suffer the effects of this fallen world and our fallen nature reminds us daily of our personal weaknesses. But even in our fallen-ness, the Spirit is working in us to remind us and teach us that He is on the throne and He is in control of all the affairs of our lives.
When we move toward the Spirit, seek Him in His Word and prayer and worship, and walk with Him, a sense of confidence begins to overtake us. Then, just like the king of Assyria noticed Hezekiah’s confidence, others will observe our confidence (in God) as well. They may not always know the true source of our confidence, but over time, God will give us the opportunity to share it.
It’s really quite simple, although not always easy to live out. The source of our confidence is God. Period. May the Lord grant us quiet confidence in Him!.
How was it that the Assyrian King noticed Hezekiah’s confidence?
He (Hezekiah) trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, not among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments which the Lord had commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:5,6.
Consider these other words of courage and confidence:
Moses speaking to the people before entering the promised land:
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
God speaking to Joshua:
Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Joab to the Israelite army before going into a battle against great odds:
Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight. 2 Samuel 10:12
King David to his son Solomon:
Then David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.’ 2 Chronicles 28:20.
Father, may we keep these words close to our hearts; ‘The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Lord, only when we show humble surrender to You are You then able to use us in this world to show our confidence in You! Give us fortitude; give us courage; give us humble confidence in you. Amen!