INTRODUCTION: If we’re going to be rebuilders of the broken we need compassion, cooperation and a cause.
Today we’re going to be talking about CONFIDENCE.
CONFIDENCE- The quality or state of being certain. Feeling certain!
I know that I know! But sometimes it can be difficult to be CERTAIN (Confident) when we’re living in uncertain times.
Nehemiah had to overcome some very challenging circumstances. He didn’t have easy street!
But Nehemiah EXPECTED a very positive outcome! THAT’S CONFIDENCE! He expected “something more” from God!
AFTER HEARING FROM HIS OPPOSITION
Nehemiah 2:20- “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.”
“When the Leader lacks confidence, the followers lack commitment!” (John Maxwell)
“Confidence is a characteristic of a positive attitude. The greatest achievers and leaders remain confident no matter the circumstances.” (John Maxwell)
Hebrews 10:35 -So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!”
3 Enemies of Confidence
- Personal Insecurity
We have to break the spell of our own negative self talk. Our negative thoughts and emotions.
Sometimes my worst enemy is how I talk to myself. It’s me!
We must begin to see ourselves as God sees us.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
“i’m more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.’
“God is for me not against me.”
2. Our Circumstances
Those circumstances that seem so much bigger than we are. Like the Covid-19.
Nehemiah had some pretty big obstacles to face. But the God in whom he placed his confidence was much bigger than his circumstances.
Personal Insecurities and Our Circumstances are enemies of your confidence.
3. Pessimists
Those negative people in our lives. Every day they wake up on the wrong side of the bed!
They’re quick to tell us what can’t be done!
If you’re going to remain confident you’ve got to come up with a plan to deal with and confront the negative people in your life.
2 Corinthians 5:6 – “So we are always confident,”
How Can I Remain Confident
- Talk to God
Before you talk to yourself or anyone else, TALK TO GOD!
I NEED TO VALUE WHAT GOD SAYS ABOVE WHAT ANYBODY ELSE HAS TO SAY.
Nehemiah 1:4- “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah didn’t work for the King of Persia, he worked for the King of Kings!
1 John 5:14-15- “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”
2. Move Forward
Nehemiah didn’t just pray, he planned, he prepared. He moved forward. Because he believed God would answer his prayer!
Hebrews 11:1- “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen.
HOW CAN I REMAIN CONFIDENT
3. Ignore Your Critics
It’s not so much what Nehemiah did and said as what he DIDN’T DO that matters here.
Nehemiah didn’t let the armchair quarterbacks sideline him.
Nehemiah simply didn’t waste time on his critics. He focused on the task before him.
Nehemiah was confident the project would be completed whether the killjoys liked it or not.
Sometimes we all need the gift of ignoring!
Hebrews 13:6- “So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
CONCLUSION: I can remain confident because of WHO I put my confidence in.
2 Corinthians 1:10- “And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.”
Faith is confidence in the person of Jesus Christ and in his power, so that even when his power does not serve my end, my confidence in him remains because of who He is.
—Ravi Zacharias, philosopher, apologist, and evangelist
HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR CONFIDENCE IN JESUS CHRIST?