Often times we can feel anxious, troubled, angered, or confused with all the wars, genocides, illnesses, etc going on in the world. We may ask where is God in the midst of such troubling times. Psalm 46 is a great psalm to go back to and pray on when we feel overburdened.
Psalm 46:1-2
‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea’
In order to understand Psalm 46:1-2 better, I want to refer to Joshua 1:9:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
This may seem like a good suggestion. However, when you read Joshua 1:8 this command in Joshua makes more sense. If you know who God is and the power God has, he will be with you always. God is bigger than whatever is overcoming you. Be confident in who God is. Often times, we focus too much on being confident ourselves and lose sight of God.
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
So what about confidence?
Hebrews 10:35
Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
You build trust by walking out in faith and trust the voice of God. Joshua was always walking into a battle, but he was always walking into triumph, he had to learn 31 strategies to overcome 31 kings, how amazing is that? He knew God had his back and he trusted the Lord wholeheartedly. God wants us to trust in him more and more and lay all our burdens at the foot of the cross.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
yea, wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:1,13