Unshakeable Confidence in a Shaking World
Unshakeable Confidence in a Shaking World
by Sherri Bergmann
Daniel and his friends demonstrated amazing courage and confidence in God when in life-threatening situations. What did they do that held them in high esteem in God’s eyes? How did they obtain the courage to place God first when their lives were at stake? What kind of an attitude did they have that gained God’s favor? Does what they had from God remain relevant today?
HOLDING HIGH ESTEEM IN GOD’S EYES
Daniel and his friends:
God gave Daniel wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams. When he discovered the King ordered him, and others considered wise in the land, to be killed if they couldn’t tell him his dream and interpret it, Daniel had the courage to request he be taken right to the one who wanted him dead. His primary response was trusting in the Lord. He went to the king, and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. Then, he prayed. He urged his friends to pray. He requested that God show them His mercy by revealing to them what the dream was and what it meant, so they would not be executed. Daniel 2:19 says, “That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.” Daniel’s priority was to serve and trust God, and in turn, he prevented the others and himself from being killed. He trusted God to rescue them from the situation, and when He had given him the answer to solve the King’s nightmare, Daniel praised God alone.
GROWING CONFIDENCE
There are many very brave heroes in the Bible who experienced amazing results when they trusted God; two others stand out that demonstrated similar courage and confidence in God as Daniel and his friends did when their lives were at stake.
Before he became a king, David was a shepherd. He had ripped apart a lion’s jaw with his own hands. He fought wild beasts to protect his sheep. He was an expert with a slingshot. He knew that God had protected him and gifted him with strength. When he sized up Goliath’s giant stature, he knew he could take him on only with God’s help.
In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan was King Saul’s son. As a member of his father’s military, he was trained by the very best. With his skills and trust in God, he had confidence that just he and his armor-bearer could take over the soldiers in an enemy outpost. In no time at all during their first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. God gave them an extra push when he threw confusion among the enemy soldiers who started killing their own. The battle grew when King Saul and his army, and other Israelites joined in, and God granted Israel victory.
GIVING GOD THE CREDIT
NONE of these men gave themselves credit or confidence in their own special abilities alone, they acknowledge God as the source.
Daniel said, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” Dan. 2:27-28
David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Sam. 17:37
Jonathan said when he proposed to attack, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Sam. 14:6
Their brave attitudes displayed humility. They knew what they did could only be made possible by God and gave Him alone the credit, and that without Him they would not succeed.
UNCHANGEABLE
You may think, “That happened over a thousand years ago, God does not provide such power or favor to anyone today. Things were different back then.”
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” Malachi 3:6
“For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
“Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.
The Bible is God’s Word. Trustworthy and time-tested. Every story in it is true to encourage us, to show us how we can be close to Him, and the successful results that can happen when we place God first and alone trust in Him.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
These men showed the special relationship that is possible to have with God. Seeing His involvement throughout their lives bolstered their trust and confidence in Him. They loved and trusted in Him over the world.
Jesus said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
UNSHAKEABLE
We have just one lifetime on earth to know and experience God, and accept his offer to spend eternity with Him. Develop and make the most of the gifts He has given you, and give Him the glory. We don’t know when our time on earth is up. There is no Plan B. Start growing closer to God so when the world around you shakes, you won’t.
The Bible mentions TWICE Jesus said if you have faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you can move your mountain from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matt . 17:20 and Luke 17:6).
To gain unshakeable faith and the courage to face and overcome your biggest mountain, you must pray, follow and honor God, and include Him with every step you take. All of your moments are given by God, they are worth using each one to grow closer to Him.
by Sherri Bergmann
Daniel and his friends demonstrated amazing courage and confidence in God when in life-threatening situations. What did they do that held them in high esteem in God’s eyes? How did they obtain the courage to place God first when their lives were at stake? What kind of an attitude did they have that gained God’s favor? Does what they had from God remain relevant today?
HOLDING HIGH ESTEEM IN GOD’S EYES
Daniel and his friends:
- Reverenced God.
- Daniel prayed to Him three times a day and gave thanks.
- Followed God’s commandments. They did not follow Babylonian customs; they followed God. They honored God instead of succumbing to earthly demands.
- Used the gifts God gave them for His glory.
- Stood up for God when faced with death.
- Did not fear. They had deep confidence in God that he was able to help them.
God gave Daniel wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams. When he discovered the King ordered him, and others considered wise in the land, to be killed if they couldn’t tell him his dream and interpret it, Daniel had the courage to request he be taken right to the one who wanted him dead. His primary response was trusting in the Lord. He went to the king, and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. Then, he prayed. He urged his friends to pray. He requested that God show them His mercy by revealing to them what the dream was and what it meant, so they would not be executed. Daniel 2:19 says, “That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.” Daniel’s priority was to serve and trust God, and in turn, he prevented the others and himself from being killed. He trusted God to rescue them from the situation, and when He had given him the answer to solve the King’s nightmare, Daniel praised God alone.
GROWING CONFIDENCE
There are many very brave heroes in the Bible who experienced amazing results when they trusted God; two others stand out that demonstrated similar courage and confidence in God as Daniel and his friends did when their lives were at stake.
Before he became a king, David was a shepherd. He had ripped apart a lion’s jaw with his own hands. He fought wild beasts to protect his sheep. He was an expert with a slingshot. He knew that God had protected him and gifted him with strength. When he sized up Goliath’s giant stature, he knew he could take him on only with God’s help.
In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan was King Saul’s son. As a member of his father’s military, he was trained by the very best. With his skills and trust in God, he had confidence that just he and his armor-bearer could take over the soldiers in an enemy outpost. In no time at all during their first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. God gave them an extra push when he threw confusion among the enemy soldiers who started killing their own. The battle grew when King Saul and his army, and other Israelites joined in, and God granted Israel victory.
GIVING GOD THE CREDIT
NONE of these men gave themselves credit or confidence in their own special abilities alone, they acknowledge God as the source.
Daniel said, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” Dan. 2:27-28
David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Sam. 17:37
Jonathan said when he proposed to attack, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Sam. 14:6
Their brave attitudes displayed humility. They knew what they did could only be made possible by God and gave Him alone the credit, and that without Him they would not succeed.
UNCHANGEABLE
You may think, “That happened over a thousand years ago, God does not provide such power or favor to anyone today. Things were different back then.”
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” Malachi 3:6
“For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
“Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.
The Bible is God’s Word. Trustworthy and time-tested. Every story in it is true to encourage us, to show us how we can be close to Him, and the successful results that can happen when we place God first and alone trust in Him.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
These men showed the special relationship that is possible to have with God. Seeing His involvement throughout their lives bolstered their trust and confidence in Him. They loved and trusted in Him over the world.
Jesus said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
UNSHAKEABLE
We have just one lifetime on earth to know and experience God, and accept his offer to spend eternity with Him. Develop and make the most of the gifts He has given you, and give Him the glory. We don’t know when our time on earth is up. There is no Plan B. Start growing closer to God so when the world around you shakes, you won’t.
The Bible mentions TWICE Jesus said if you have faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you can move your mountain from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matt . 17:20 and Luke 17:6).
To gain unshakeable faith and the courage to face and overcome your biggest mountain, you must pray, follow and honor God, and include Him with every step you take. All of your moments are given by God, they are worth using each one to grow closer to Him.
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