Holy Confidence: Psalm 46-Supplication through the Scriptures

Holy Confidence

Psalm 46

Happen what may, the Lord's people are happy and secure, this is the doctrine of the Psalm, and it might, to help our memories, be called THE SONG OF HOLY CONFIDENCE.
C.H. Spurgeon 

Confidence is a feeling of security and strength one feels when they can rely on someone or something dependable. It is a firm trust. Holy confidence then is firmly relying on God, feeling secure through His strength and His dependability. It is the ability to say, “Though _________ should happen, I will not fear.” It is not a complete absence of fear at all times, but it is the ability to meet our fear with the truth and have His peace settle our minds and quiet our distress.

However, it is not flippant or glib. There is a solemnity and gravity to our confidence in God. It can handle the deepest afflictions and hardest woes. It can say, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). Holy confidence trusts the Lord to do as He sees fit and yields itself to His divine will (Daniel 3:28).

And this is our holy confidence: God is with us. He is ever present. God Most High is not only with us but His Holy Spirit, our Helper, dwells in us. There is no situation, circumstance, fear, inward turmoil, distress or danger that is outside of His presence and His very present help. So however you would fill in the blank, “Though _______ should happen,” we can confidently say, “God is my refuge and strength, my very present help in this trouble, therefore I will not fear.”

Today, be still and behold Immanuel, God with us. Be still and behold, El Elyon, God Most High reigning and ruling with supreme power in all the earth. Be still and behold the Lord of hosts who encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them (Psalm 34:7). Be still and behold our very present help for our trouble today.

A Very Present Help

46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 
Lord, I pray:
▫️Though ___________ should happen, I would not fear because You are my refuge, my strength, my fortress, my very present help in trouble.
▫️You would be very near and present in this distress I am in today.
▫️I would have a holy confidence, trusting firmly in Your love, care, and wisdom for my situation. Am I doubting His goodness and love for me because of this difficulty?
▫️You would help me not to be fearful about what lies ahead for me or for my loved ones. I would trust that Your ways are right and good and You never make mistakes.

God Most High in Our Midst

46:4-7 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 
Lord, I pray:
▫️In the midst of this loss or this hardship, You would make me glad, and You would pour out Your blessings and restore what has been lost.
▫️Because You, God Most High, are with me, I will not be shaken, I will not be moved. I would stand firm on Your Word, finding renewed strength and courage for today. 
▫️You would come to my aid and help me! You would not let me suffer unduly long, but You would give me hope in the waiting. 
▫️The very power of Your voice that melts the earth with its utterance would work wondrously in my overwhelming trial. 
▫️I would find comfort knowing that the Lord of hosts is with me, and the God of Jacob is my fortress. He will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

The Lord of Hosts is With Us

46:8-11 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Lord, I pray:
▫️I would not focus on my fears and the things that are out of my control, but I would behold Your character and Your mighty deeds in Your Word and Your faithfulness in my own life. Where has God been faithful in the past that can bolster my confidence in Him today?
▫️I would be still and I would quiet my heart before You. I would cease fighting and striving in my own efforts and would find rest in You, God Almighty. Nothing is too difficult for You (Jeremiah 32:17).
▫️You would be exalted among the nations, in the earth, and in my life and heart. I would choose to praise You as You lead me and are with me in my distress. 
‭‭
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 46 quoted from the ESV.
Photo credit to marcuswoodbridge

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