Confidence is an important trait for Christians to develop in their walk with God. The Bible provides many examples of godly men and women who demonstrated unshakable confidence in the Lord in the face of challenges and adversity. In this post, we will explore some key stories and verses that reveal how confidence in God leads to courage, faith, and spiritual victory.
Introduction
As Christians, our confidence does not come from ourselves, but from what Christ has done for us. When we trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, we can have assurance of our salvation and hope for the future (1 John 5:13). This confidence in our eternal security allows us to face life’s difficulties with boldness and assurance that God is in control.
Here are three key reasons why confidence in God is so important for believers:
- Confidence allows us to approach God boldly. Because Christ has given us access into God’s presence, we can come before Him without fear (Hebrews 4:16). We do not have to depend on our own righteousness, but can draw near based on Christ’s righteousness.
- Confidence gives us courage to obey God. When we have confidence in God’s sovereignty, power, and goodness, we are empowered to follow Him in every circumstance. We are willing to take bold risks in obedience to God’s calling.
- Confidence keeps our eyes fixed on Jesus. Assurance of our position in Christ enables us to “[run] with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Confidence helps us focus on Christ rather than our problems.
In the rest of this post, we will look at biblical examples of men and women who demonstrated unshakeable confidence in God in the face of adversity. Their stories inspire us to trust God more fully and allow Him to build confidence within us.
Old Testament Examples of Confidence
David’s confidence in facing Goliath
One of the most famous stories of audacious confidence in the Bible is when the young shepherd boy David volunteered to fight the Philistine giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). While experienced soldiers cowered in fear, David unabashedly declared, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).
David’s confidence was rooted in his past experience of God’s faithfulness and power. His confidence also stemmed from a supreme focus on God’s glory over his personal safety. Facing a 9-foot tall trained warrior, David courageously relied on the Lord for victory, saying, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:46). David demonstrated tremendous confidence in God by walking onto that battlefield to face a giant.
Joshua’s confidence in God’s promises
After the death of Moses, Joshua was tasked with the monumental assignment of leading Israel to conquer Canaan. God commanded him to have courage and repeatedly told him not to be afraid (Joshua 1:6, 9). Joshua demonstrated confidence in God’s faithfulness to His promises.
When the Israelites crossed the flooded Jordan River into Canaan, the Lord told Joshua that day would affirm His presence and that He would exalt Joshua as a leader. The miraculous river crossing built the people’s confidence in Joshua and God (Joshua 3:7). Joshua’s confidence is also seen when he commanded the sun to stand still so the Israelites could finish defeating their enemies (Joshua 10:12-13). Joshua’s courageous leadership guided Israel to victory.
Nehemiah’s confidence to rebuild Jerusalem
Nehemiah demonstrated incredible confidence in God by taking on the monumental task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Though he faced mocking and intense opposition, Nehemiah courageously trusted God to help His people: “The God of heaven will give us success” (Nehemiah 2:20).
When enemies threatened to attack, Nehemiah confidently declared, “Our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:20). Against all odds, the people persevered in redemptive work because of their confidence in God’s protection and the importance of their mission.
New Testament Examples of Confidence
Jesus’ confidence during his earthly ministry
The most compelling display of confidence came from Jesus himself. During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated complete confidence in God the Father through his unwavering obedience, bold teaching, composure in the face of opposition, and submission to God’s will.
Even as crowds pressed in on Him, Jesus often withdrew to be alone in prayer with the Father, confident of God’s care and presence (Luke 5:16). When confronted with skeptical religious leaders, Jesus boldly declared his unity with the Father and authority over all things (John 10:30, 17:2). Jesus possessed a profound inner confidence rooted in His intimate relationship with the Father.
As Jesus approached the agony of the cross, He surrendered in full confidence, praying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Jesus’ confidence in God enabled Him to obediently give His life for us.
Peter’s confidence in preaching at Pentecost
Prior to Pentecost, Peter was characterized by cowardice and compromise. After witnessing the risen Christ, however, Peter became a confident preacher of the gospel. Empowered by the Spirit, Peter stood and boldly addressed the crowds gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14). Though some mocked his message, Peter persisted with confidence.
His confidence stemmed from personally witnessing Jesus’ defeat of death. Peter went from denying Christ to fearlessly declaring, “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24). The fearful fisherman was transformed into a confident ambassador for Christ.
Paul’s confidence in God’s sovereignty
The apostle Paul demonstrated remarkable confidence in God’s sovereignty and care. When testifying before rulers, facing dangers, or writing Scripture, Paul showed no fear because he was confident of God’s plan.
To the Philippians, Paul boldly declared, “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance” (Philippians 1:19). Despite beatings, stoning, shipwrecks and imprisonments, Paul had confidence that he was exactly where Christ wanted him to be (2 Corinthians 11).
Paul’s confidence gave him courage to spread the gospel across the Roman world in the face of intense persecution. According to 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul was “not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”
Key Principles for Developing Confidence
The examples we have explored reveal key truths about what fuels genuine confidence. Here are important principles for growing in Christ-centered confidence:
- Develop intimacy with God. David, Joshua, Jesus, and Paul all had close relationships with God built on time investing in prayer, worship, and studying Scripture. Intimacy with God is the foundation for lasting confidence in Him.
- Remember God’s past faithfulness. David recalled how God delivered him from lions and bears; Joshua remembered God’s power demonstrated through the plagues and Red Sea. Reminding ourselves of God’s proven track record builds faith He will help us again.
- Have an eternal perspective. Paul’s confidence came from knowing this life is temporary and eternity awaits through Christ. An eternal perspective allows us to have hope beyond our current circumstances.
- Act courageously in obedience. Stepping out in obedience builds confidence in God as we experience His help. David ran towards Goliath; Joshua marched around Jericho; Nehemiah kept building. Faith requires action.
- Anchor in God’s sovereign power. Knowing that God is all-powerful and unconditionally loving builds confidence that He can bring good even from current trials. Our confidence rests in Him, not ourselves.
Conclusion: Walking in Confidence
In closing, the examples we have explored remind us that bold confidence comes from intimately knowing God and His character. As we walk closely with Jesus through prayer, worship, and obedience, He builds within us an unshakeable confidence in His love, power, and sovereignty.
Rather than trying to manufacture self-confidence, we can pray for the Holy Spirit to deepen our trust in Christ moment by moment. Confidence flows out of a heart anchored in the gospel.
May God use the biblical examples we have discussed to inspire you to walk in greater confidence in Him. He is worthy of our fullest trust and reliance.
Key Takeaways:
- True confidence comes from intimacy with God, not ourselves.
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness builds confidence that He will help again.
- Having an eternal perspective allows us to have hope beyond circumstances.
- Stepping out in obedience builds confidence in God’s help.
- Knowing God’s power and love anchors us in confidence.
- Our confidence rests fully in Christ, not ourselves.
