Marie’s daily verse: James 1:12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

DAILY DEVOTION, November 3, 2022

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7).

Hundreds of books have been written with a similar message. “Believe in yourself.” I even once owned a book with that title. Norman Vincent Peal’s book, “The power of Positive Thinking” encourages self-confidence. Is that a good idea for Christians? In our text God reminds Israel not to trust in their military might but to trust in God. In fact, the Bible has little to say about self-confidence and much to say about God-confidence.

The word “confidence” is a combination of two Latin words: con (with), and fides (faith), so “Self-confidence” means “with faith in yourself,” and that is misguided faith. Our faith should be in Christ. What we need is not self-confidence, but Christ-confidence. Self-confidence is good if it remains in second place to Christ-confidence. When self-confidence is king, watch out. The truth is that no matter how puffed up you are with self-confidence there will be times when trust in yourself will let you down. The Nazi’s produced a film entitled “The Triumph of the Will.” Hitler believer in the power of his own will (self-confidence) to overcome all obstacles. How did that work out? Positive thinking is fine unless it overshadows faith in Christ. Trust in Christ will never fail you. Fill your mind with the words of Jesus and live by them.

Father, I don’t need more faith in myself. I need more faith in Your Son. I want to live my life, not trusting in my fallible self, but trusting in You. Help me, I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.