Bravado
Hebrews 10: 35
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
Today we see a series within a series. Yesterday we talked about holding on to our confession of hope which built on Monday’s word of our testimony, our testimony reflecting our confidence in Christ. You will have undoubtedly noticed that I have referred you back to previous Word of the Day devotions several times. The reason is that these verses build upon one another and intertwine. Together they form a matrix of revelation and a pattern of behavior.
We began with God’s promises. Then we saw how to use those promises to affect healing in our bodies and now we have come to maintaining our stance in those promises, knowing that the blood will not fail and that He who promised is faithful. Our faith in God’s word and in His promises bolsters us and gives power to our prayers for our confidence is in Him.
As we close this series, we arrive at this point, “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might . . . having done everything, to stand firm,” (Ephesians 6: 10, 13). This is where the rubber meets the road, as they say. Yesterday’s Word of the Day was titled Hang On! I wrote that we are in need of endurance, but when I think of the woman with the issue of blood (WOTD 4/14/22 Deliberate Faith) I think the better word is tenacity. That woman would not be denied. Or, how about the Canaanite woman who, wanting healing for her child, would not relent even when Jesus shunned her repeatedly and told her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” He called her a dog, for goodness’ sakes! Because she was a Canaanite, she had no promise upon which to rely. She had no right to the children’s bread. None the less, she replied to Jesus, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” That was a bold statement to make to the Lord. Indeed that was bravado, but she would not be denied. She was resolute, being full of confidence, not in her right, but in Jesus’ ability. She was determined and though she had no covenant upon which to stand she moved Jesus. “Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed at once,” (See Matthew 15: 22 – 28).
Let that story minister to your heart because that woman did not have a promise to stand on, but you do. We have need of confidence so that we, too, will stand firm being unmoved by doctor’s reports, the evidence of our eyes or other people’s opinions. We’ve got to hang on even when it looks like we are denied even the crumbs from the master’s table. We do have the promises. We have the right to petition Christ. In fact, he promised, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it,” (John 14: 14). He expects us to call upon him and to receive what we desire.
We must hang on to our confession of faith, maintaining confidence in he who promised. Don’t let anything or anyone change your mind, heart or words from agreement with the Christ. He endured torture and the cross so that we can walk in divine health. Listen to the voice of the Lord guiding you in the way you should go. Pay close attention as he leads you in dietary choices and more. He is the Lord of wholeness, not brokenness. He is the Prince of Shalom, perfect peace in heart, soul and body. “Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits,” (Psalm 103: 2).
