A Name You Can Trust

One contribution the Roman Empire made to the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the construction of great bridges and roads. Today bridges are unnoticeable unless they’re spectacular in design. However, bridges convey a sense of belonging, as they fulfill an important need for confidence in something that’s dependable.  

          What have you placed your confidence in that assures you the world is dependable and safe? Psalm 20 gives this assurance. “Now I know the Lord saves his anointed; he answers from heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord God.” 

Chariots and horses, however, can represent whatever our ingenuity can contrive. Confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ was the bridge that helped the Apostle Paul to endure hardships and troubles and stay focused on the central objective of his ministry. That confidence is available to whomever believes and commits his or her life to that bridge of faith.  

Act with Confidence and an Active Conscience - Part 3

History is replete with individuals who were overly confident in their skills and abilities. In 1863 Joseph Hooker, General of the Union Army, remarked: “My plans are perfect, and as I execute them, may God have mercy on General Robert E. Lee, for I will have none.” Months later Hooker resigned after he was defeated by Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

God intended for leaders to have confidence, to be trustworthy, to believe in themselves. Too much pride and too little compassion create false confidence. False confidence led to General Hooker’s defeat. Healthy self-confidence is strengthened by our confidence in God’s faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul registered his confidence in the church at Ephesus. He also spoke of his confidence in the Gospel and his confidence in Christ Jesus. This kind of self-assurance reassured these early Christians that Paul’s conscience was clear, and this gave him the authority to speak the truth as God revealed it to him.