How Closely do you Know Him?

Confidence is about a person, it’s always about a person – not a theory or a technique. So build your confidence around the Person of God. Spend time in His Presence. This is the way we come to know Him. Acquaint yourself with Scriptures that speak of His Goodness, His Grace and Kindness.

Many of us need a clear picture of Him – situations and circumstances may have clouded our Image of Him. Even lots of sermons can do that. Especially if they don’t portray Him well. Don’t rely on someone’s impression of Him but rather press in to know Him and you will be GLAD YOU DID!

“SEEK TO KNOW ME, THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE NEED. SEEK MY DIRECTION AND

FOLLOW ME. FOR THERE I WILL LEAD YOU TO PASTURES GREEN

WHERE THE RIVER OF LIFE DOES FREELY FLOW”

(a song Jesus gave me years ago)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose trust the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when the heat of the day comes, but its leaves shall be green; and shall not have

to be careful in the year of drought, neither shall it cease from yielding fruit”.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

What God is telling us here is that if we depend on ourselves or others, we will have a disadvantage. But if we have confidence in God, we will always have an advantage in any circumstance so we can be fruitful and enjoy the blessings of God. This comes with simple faith and trust.

So, what does it mean to have confidence in God? It means that you are not just wishing or hoping God is going to act on your behalf, but that you expect Him to. You can be certain that He is working and the promises in his word.

And you don’t need anyone’s assistance because He is all-sufficient to meet your needs. Sometimes He may lead you to a person for practical advice or to a place to acquire certain skills whatever but He will be the One guiding you to do so – He is very good at that.

Scripture says “not to lean on your own understanding” and to trust Him with all your heart, your inner being. It is a matter of not relying on what you think you know and having an attitude of faith that stays with God’s word whatever the situation at hand.

Do not rely on the visible circumstances or what you think you know – that’s what this verse is saying. Yes, our God is ABLE……He likes it when we trust Him. So in order to have confidence in God, you have to decide whose report or whose message you will believe – those temporary circumstances or the Living, abiding Word of God? If you believe the report from your five senses or on the limited amount of knowledge that you have, what will be the outcome? But if you believe the Good report in His Word, He can bless you beyond your expectations.

What is the result when you listen and respond to God’s Spirit and follow His teaching? It is always better than when you doubt and try to work things out.

You can understand what God’s will is through his Spirit. You understand the promises you have as a child of God and see them manifest in your life by meeting His conditions:

Receive the Testimony in Scripture and respond to it.

Rest in the Promises of God – the Good Report.

Don’t let circumstances make you question God.

Let His Word and His Spirit be your counselors.

Be not led by your senses, but let your faith free.

So when you respond well and stay in agreement with God’s will and his word, you cannot fail. Thus, you can have confidence all the time and in all circumstances. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20. All this is by faith and trust – directing them towards God. Simple really – a child could grasp it. It’s only our reasoning that gets in the way – that’s for communicating with life and people around us. We communicate with Him on a different level and it has to do with LOVE “heart to heart”.

Your confidence with Faith in God has to do with your confidence in the Love of God. For this we need to spend time in His Presence daily, soaking it in. Also, remember to prayer-read the Scriptures – this will make your spirit stronger than your doubts. Jesus said Abide in My Words, then Ask. Not the other way round because then we would be lazy – unmotivated, so to speak.

And it’s a matter of acquaintance, it really is. Who does not want to hear the words of someone they love? The emphasis has been wrong through the years “get what you can from God”…..and…..”how do I get it?” He is not a Santa or a Store Assistant, it goes deeper than that. I would be offended if my family just asked me for things, would you? Surely we could spend some time with Him in each 24 hour day.

“There is JOY in His Presence” who said it has to be a religious exercise? How long since you had a conversation with Him or listened for

“His still small Voice?” it’s nice to have some Quiet-Time with Him, it really is a pleasure!