8-5-2014

 Good Morning All,

         Isaiah 32:17; “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

     If you were to look at all the successful people in the world, whether they are athletes, businessmen, political people, authors, or whatever occupation you select; probably the most common trait that these people have is confidence.  They all believe in their ability to accomplish the task that they set out to do.  There are lots of posters or saying clips that about this.  One that caught my attention the other day said, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are probably right.”  Confidence is a major element in success.

    I would always tell the kids I coached in baseball that if they went to bat thinking they would strike out; they would.  The same is true for someone trying to make a free throw, or kick a soccer score, or even get job.  The need to believe that you can accomplish a task is vital.  When you have confidence, you approach a task ready for whatever it takes and even if you have some minor setbacks; you remain undaunted by the task.  When you think you will fail, any adversity only serves to reinforce your belief that you will fail.  Confidence lets you face any challenge with a calm and a peace that whatever happens, you will persevere and, in the end, be a better person for it.

   Faith should give us confidence.  We know how everything will end; we end it in God’s restored creation after the return of Jesus and the final resurrection.  This is how it ends for all believers.  We can face any situation with the full assurance that God is providing for us.  Just like that baseball player will strike out occasionally; it is not the whole ballgame.  There will times and events in our life when it seems like we strikeout yet we need to remember that it is not the whole ballgame; we still have a lot of life left and we still have God’s assurance of eternal salvation.

    Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  This is the fruit of righteousness that Isaiah writes of.  This certainty should give us peace.  We don’t have to earn it.  We don’t have to deserve it; we just have it because God is gracious and loving.  All we need to do is to trust in his Word.  We can have the full confidence that, no matter what we face, we are assured of God’s love and grace.  Events may knock us down, health issues, relationship issues, financial issues or even a combination of these can knock us down but they cannot keep us down.  God’s incredible grace will always pick us up.  Because of this certainty, we can face any problem with the calmness and the confidence that, through it all, we are more than winners; we are more than victors; we are God’s children with our eternal destiny assured.

Father of all mercy, your Word gives us confidence to face the challenges of this life.  Because of your great love, nothing we face is ever greater than you.  In you we have victory. In you we have peace.  Be with those who fear and have no confidence.  Build them up so they may ever know you peace and comfort.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret