The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NIV).
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. (1 John 3 19-22 NIV).
Donald Trump remarked this past week that if one loses their confidence, then their talents can also decline. (Remarks regarding his friend, Michael Jackson.)
It seems to me that one of the greatest mysteries regarding humankind is the place of confidence in effectiveness and achievement. I think Donald Trump made a profound observation when he noted that the loss of confidence can lead to abatement of talents.
I think one of the most remarkable things that those who drew around Jesus must have seen and sensed was that here was a man who had full confidence. Not afflicted by sin and guilt like the rest of us, he must have been a tremendously refreshing figure standing free without the usual weighty baggage of anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and guilt. The Scripture says that “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence before God and received from him anything we ask....” Let us not slouch and sneak around like a tormented dog, but with full confidence enter a room as man’s best friend – as someone at peace with themselves and imbued with joy, goodwill, and creativity.
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