Confidence is that feeling
by which the mind embarks
in great and honourable courses
with a sure hope and trust in itself.
– Cicero
Tag Archives: Confidence
Moses Parts the Red Sea (Ex 14)
Bible Summary:
The Israelites camp between the desert and Red Sea. When the king of Egypt is told the slaves have left, he changes his mind and pursues them with his entire army. Upon seeing the approaching army, the Israelites complain to Moses for taking them out of Egypt just to die in the desert. Moses tells them not to be afraid, that God will fight for them.
God places the pillar of clouds between the Israelites and the army, then, at God’s command, Moses lifts his walking stick and parts the Red Sea. A great wind blows all night and dries a path that the Israelites walk across with the walls of water on each side. The Egyptian army pursues them. After the Israelites reach the other side, the walls of water collapse on the Egyptian army, destroying them all. The Israelites stand in awe of God’s power and now have faith in his servant Moses.
My Thoughts:
Real Work: In the grief of losing his first-born son, the king sets the Hebrews free. A little while later he realizes that the Egyptians will have to do all the work the slaves used to do, including cooking and serving meals, so he wants them back.
Many people are afraid of real work. They want to take the easy way out and let someone else do the work. After a while, they rely on others for all their needs and cannot function when the help is taken away. Real work gives you strength, builds character, gives you confidence, and more. It is especially gratifying if you do it for someone else, like shoveling the elderly neighbor’s snow. So, plan a project, begin the work, and see what you can accomplish.
Keeping the Faith: Oh, ye of little faith. The Israelites were happy when Moses freed them, but quickly turned on him when the king’s army showed up.
It is difficult to keep the faith, especially during difficult times. We just want to give up and go back to our old dreary life. Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid. God is with you and you will prevail to see brighter days and success. Keep the faith!
God Leads Israelites to Red Sea (Ex 13)
Bible Summary:
On the day the Israelites are set free, Moses tells them how to remember that day every year going forward by sacrificing first-born animals and not eating leavened bread. Moses takes Joseph’s mummified body as they had promised many centuries before and leads them through the desert toward the Red Sea instead of by a shorter route. God did not want the Israelites to change their minds and return to Egypt when they learn they have to fight. God leads them with a pillar of cloud during the day and pillar of fire to light the way at night.
My Thoughts:
Backs Against the Wall: God knows the Egyptians are going to pursue. He also knows the Israelites, even with the excitement from their new freedom, would not have the confidence after centuries of slavery to fight the Egyptians unless He backed them against the wall of the Red Sea.
Maybe this is why God sometimes makes our struggles so difficult, so we too build confidence to do greater things in the future.
The Pillars: I have participated in Komen Races for the Cure with 55,000 others in a river of people coursing their way through downtown Columbus, so I can only imagine what 2.4 million Israelites looked liked as they escaped from Egypt. With no cell phones, Internet, TV, radio, or even walkie-talkies, it must have been extremely difficult to communicate with such a large crowd, so God devised the pillars of cloud and fire so they could all see the way.
Sometimes I wish God would show me a large sign to guide my life in the right direction, instead He sends small signals and some people at the right time. You just have to use your intuition, which is God speaking within you.
Moses Flees to Midian (Ex 2: 11-25)
Bible Summary:
Moses grows up and sees how his people, the Hebrews, are forced into hard labor. He watches an Egyptian kill one, so he kills the Egyptian. The next day he tries to resolve a Hebrew quarrel, but fears for his life after they mention the Egyptian’s death. The king of Egypt finds out and Moses flees to Midian for safety.
One day, Jethro’s seven daughters are driven away from a well by some shepherds. Moses rescues the daughters and waters their animals. The girls tell their father of the Egyptian’s heroics, so Jethro invites Moses to eat with them. Moses decides to stay, Jethro gives him Zipporah in marriage, and they have a son.
Years later the king of Egypt dies, but the Israelites still cry for God’s help, so He becomes concerned for the Hebrews.
My Thoughts:
Confidence: Moses likely lived in luxury after being adopted by the king’s daughter, but he knew he was Hebrew and resented how “his people” were treated. The story paradoxically paints him out as a coward who flees to Midian and a hero to the daughters.
There is a coward and a hero in all of us. The coward sits back and worries what might happen and fears the worst, while the hero finally takes the step. Even great people had fears, but finally, with God’s help, took that step. So, push, shove, or heave that fear out of the way and take that step! You will be amazed what happens.
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife (Gen 39)
Bible Summary:
Joseph is a very successful slave to Potiphar, one of the Egyptian king’s guards, and is put in charge of everything in his household. Potiphar’s wife seduces Joseph but he continually declines. She entraps Joseph by snaring his robe and telling her husband he tried to rape her. Joseph is sent to prison, but soon becomes responsible for everything there.
My Thoughts:
Confidence: No matter how bad things get, Joseph keeps his head. I believe his confidence comes from knowing that God has a plan for him.
Service: Joseph serves others and is rewarded with more responsibility each time. He must be a great manager to be put in charge wherever he lands.