Confidence that we have in Christ…
As Abraham’s descendants proceeded through the forty years of wondering in the wilderness, they came to realize and enjoy complete dependence in God. God’s continued presence, provision, and protection gave them confidence. They learned to trust in the Lord and the victories that He gave them. They remembered the night of the Passover, when the blood of the lamb provided safety and covering from the wrath that came upon all of Egypt. They remembered God’s power that brought them across the Red Sea and how their enemy was destroyed. They feasted on the continual blessing of God’s provision and supply. Under the covering of God’s presence and power, they defeated nations that were greater than they were. Sihon the King of the Amorites mobilized his armies against Israel, but they were completely destroyed. Og of Bashan who ruled over sixty cities was defeated at Edrei. Og was a giant whose iron bed was 15 feet long and 6 feet wide. Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab had an alliance with Midian to go against Israel. Five Midianite kings were killed in the wilderness for seducing Israel into idolatry and Midian was totally destroyed. God was with His people and they had confidence in His presence. Many years later, the LORD gave promise to His people.
Isaiah 54:17 NKJV No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
The Amplified Bible says: “This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD… this is the vindication which they obtain from Me.”
Moses was in the tabernacle and the LORD came down and spoke to him face to face.
Moses was faced with the daunting task of bringing this people into God’s promised blessings. When he was overwhelmed with the impossible task that was before him, Moses reminded God that they were the LORD’s people. He needed to find grace in God’s sight. He needed to know God’s way. He needed to know God.
Exodus 33:14 NKJV And GOD said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
After that promise, Moses was able to go forward and face every challenge with confidence. They knew that the LORD God almighty was with him. He knew that no weapon that was formed against him would prosper. He had confidence in the LORD and that gave him peace in God’s presence. From the moment that Israel left Mount Sinai, the glorious presence of Almighty God overshadowed them. God kept and prospered them. He protected and fought for them. He gave them victory over their enemies and brought them into the blessings He had prepared and promised. “Not one of all the LORD’s promises to the house of Israel failed, everything He spoke came true,” (Joshua 21:45).
Consider the confidence that we have in Christ.
In 1 John 5, we are given the testimony that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Israel was redeemed and delivered from Egypt under the covering of the lamb that was slain.
We have a better sacrifice and a better covering.
“Everyone that has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12). We have a covering because the precious blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, (1 John 1:7). We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, (1 Peter 1:19). God passed over our sins because Jesus was set forth as a propitiation and sacrifice, (Romans 3:25). We have full freedom and confidence before God by the power of the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19-22). This gives us unqualified assurance and absolute conviction in our hearts that we can fully and absolutely trust and have confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.
Consider the depth of the confidence that we have in Christ.
We have confidence that no weapon that is formed against us will prosper. We have confidence that the blood of Jesus cleanses, sanctifies and presents us righteous before God, (1 John 1:9). We have confidence that we can come boldly to the throne of grace and confidently ask anything according to His will, and God will hear us, (1 John 5:14). We have confidence in the power of Christ’s blood to overcome and bring us into victory over every principality, power, and ruler of darkness, (Revelation 12:11).
In the wilderness, Israel had the covering of the cloud and pillar of fire of God’s presence.
John 14:16-17 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit will abide with you and in you. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance everything Christ said to you. He will be your Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strength. He will give you power and equipping for life and ministry. He will teach you how to pray and will intercede through you to the Father. He will cause you to walk right and live right. The Holy Spirit will testify that you are a child of God and He will enable you to cry out, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6) The Holy Spirit will testify that you are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and that gives you confidence and boldness.
When Israel was dwelling under the covering of God’s presence, they knew that no enemy could stand against them.
The presence of God the Holy Spirit dwelling in our midst gives us strength and boldness and peace. As we have considered Israel walking into the camp of giants and great walled cities, they did not have to fear for God was with them. Before they entered into the Land of Promise they faced all kinds of difficulties, challenges, armies, kings, giants and walled cities. Great armies fell before them, because God was in the camp and fought for them. No weapon that was forged against them prospered.
Romans 8:37 TPT Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!
Romans 8:38a TPT So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38b TPT I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.
Romans 8:39 TPT There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!
You can have complete confidence in Christ.
What impact should this have on your life?
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:7). The peace of His abiding presence will keep your heart and mind. You do not have to fear or be afraid, for the LORD our God is with us. When His peace rules your hearts, you have confidence in everything that Christ has appropriated and gained through His sacrifice and blood.