Cindy Powell

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  -Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

A few years ago, I was sitting on a beach praying and meditating on Hebrews 10:35-36 when a light bulb went off.

I’d always been drawn to this passage because of the emphasis on enduring confidence. Since confidence of any kind has always been hard for me to come by, the idea of ENDURING confidence is something I crave. I don’t remember the sequence of thoughts that brought me there, but I remember  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 coming to mind:

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in ALL circumstances…

For THIS is God’s will for you.

This verse adds context to Hebrews 10:36—when you have done the will of God, you WILL receive what He has promised.

And what is the will of God?

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances.

I’ve been reminded of these passages often in recent days. Sometimes I purposely and intentionally do all of the things listed in 1 Thes. 5:16-18. Sometimes it feels like I am doing none of them. (Well, none unless you consider perpetually whining at Him praying.) But I also know that my feelings never tell the whole story—because a funny thing happens when you continue to set your face toward Him, year after year, season after season, even when you don’t see or feel anything happening…

You DO develop confidence—enduring confidence—in His ability to keep you.

When I know “He’s got me” I realize it’s not about “performing” spiritual disciplines perfectly. That isn’t realistic for anyone. But when I’m connected to His heart, it is easy to look for joy regardless of circumstances. When I am connected to His heart, ongoing communion and conversation with Him (even when it sounds like whining) is the organic overflow. And, when I am connected to His heart, I am truly thankful for all that is good and true and lovely and pure, in spite of the many things that are not.

Really, like so many things, it’s not about what I’m doing—it’s about recognizing what He has already done. But the direction of my heart DOES often determines how much I can rest in what He has done. And when my heart is consistently leaning toward His…

I am confident. I am confident in His word. I am confident in His promises.

I am confident in Him.

When I am confident in Him, endurance is a natural byproduct.  And when we endure…

We WILL receive the promise.

Jesus, thank You for being my confidence. I am confident that You will finish the work You have begun, You will keep Your promises, and You will keep ALL that I have entrusted to You—especially my heart. ~Amen

I hear Him saying: Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.