TEST THE SPIRITS: THE SPIRIT OF TRUE CONFIDENCE

Confidence seems like such a simple thing. We place confidence in what is dependable, trustworthy, and secure. Unfortunately, American society is losing confidence in so many things. We struggle to trust our politicians, because everything is tainted by party ideology rather than the common good or truth. We are uncertain about the economic outlook because inflation is around 9% and we wonder if the Federal Reserve will be aggressive enough to curve this trend before it causes more harm. Unfortunately, even if the Federal Reserve is successful, it may cause a painful correction! We take scientific advice with a “grain of salt” because the scientists seem to be driven by the money and power of the pharmaceutical industry, rather than the needs of the average person.  If you don’t have confidence, then what do you have?  Nature does not like a vacuum, even a vacuum of confidence in our spirits, because other things rush into our hearts when there is a void of confidence. Uncertainty, fear, apathy, anger, and distrust are just a few of the options! In our sermon series Test the Spirits, the sermon is The Spirit of True Confidence. What are you depending upon to give you strength? Our only certain hope is God through Jesus Christ. We turn to Psalm 27:1-6 which is one of the greatest expressions of confidence by King David, the king of Israel.  This King was a warrior, poet, musician, leader, and committed follower of God.  David had confronted uncertainty, fear, evil, and hardship but he remained confident that God was with him.  This was great for him, but he wasn’t living in America in 2022!  His words point us to the only solid ground for our lives and they help us to find the certainty, trust, hope, and power to confront our hopelessness and fear!  As you read the inspired Word of God, let it share with you a confidence that God is with you and you are God’s child! Psalm 27:1-6: The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. (NIV)