Our confidence!

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Heb. 10:35

   The day you were saved, the day you got the glance into the mystery of the Gospel, the day you got confidence as a gift, and since that day it is always the same that gives you confidence, and that is the message of the Gospel.
   When you hear about confidence, it is maybe two things that springs to mind: One thing is that you search in your feelings, to see if you have confidence. Something that maybe rather causes the opposite . you look at yourself and new and old sins emerges, the emotional life is so unstable etc., and the confidence and the joy that follows that, is like a dream far away.
   The other is maybe that you think of it as a boldness outwards, towards other people. (The Norwegian translation for instance, can lead in that direction). Boldness when it comes to testify for them about Jesus, and like. And then you expect very little reward, because your boldness, when it comes to that, is rather small.
   But what the author of the letter speaks of here - is brought forward earlier in the same chapter - it is the confidence to enter the holy place! - To enter before God! And then he points at the reason for this confidence, which is not a feeling you shall find in your own chest, but it is the blood of Jesus! (v.19).
   Yes, hear it over and over again - it is the blood of Jesus! It is this confidence you must not throw away! - It is this confidence that has a great reward!
   This is how the author of the Hebrews describes it: «And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.» (Heb. 11:6).
   Dear friend, it is He who is the the author and perfecter of the Gospel!
   James writes: «But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.» (Jam. 1:5).
   Such is God, and His will for you is, that you shall believe that of Him! So, be confident!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.