Holding Fast to Confidence

Scripture: “So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35, NIV)

Introduction:

Confidence is a powerful thing. It gives us the courage to face challenges and press forward. But in the Christian life, confidence isn’t rooted in ourselves—it’s rooted in God’s faithfulness. In Hebrews 10:35, the writer encourages believers to hold onto their confidence, reminding them of the great reward that awaits.

1. What Is This Confidence?

• Biblical confidence is not arrogance or self-assurance. It is faith and trust in God and His promises.
• It is the assurance that God is faithful, even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise.
• Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
• This confidence stems from:
  1. God’s Word: The unchanging promises of Scripture.
  2. Christ’s Sacrifice: The foundation of our access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).
  3. The Holy Spirit: Who empowers us to persevere.

Application: Is your confidence anchored in the character of God, or has it been shaken by life’s trials? What are the foundations of your faith?

2. The Temptation to Throw It Away

• The context of Hebrews 10 shows that the early Christians were under persecution and faced the temptation to give up.
• They experienced public ridicule, imprisonment, and loss of property (Hebrews 10:32-34).
• Trials often make us question God’s promises or doubt His goodness.
• To “throw away your confidence” is to stop trusting God, to give in to fear or discouragement.
• Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Application: What challenges in your life are tempting you to lose confidence in God? How can we recognize and resist these temptations?

3. The Rich Reward of Confidence

• The writer promises that confidence in God will be “richly rewarded.”
• This reward is both present and eternal:
  1. Present: Peace, strength, and God’s guidance in this life.
  2. Eternal: The joy of being with Christ forever and the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
• Hebrews 10:36: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
• Confidence fuels perseverance, and perseverance leads to the reward.

Application: Keep your eyes fixed on the eternal reward, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). How can we maintain an eternal perspective, especially when facing difficulties in the present?

4. How to Maintain Your Confidence

• Remember God’s faithfulness:
  • Reflect on past victories where God brought you through difficulties.
  • Lamentations 3:21-23: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope…”
• Encourage one another:
  • The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of community (Hebrews 10:24-25).
  • Surround yourself with believers who will spur you on in faith.
• Stay rooted in God’s Word and prayer:
  • Confidence grows as we spend time in His presence, reminding ourselves of His promises.
• Trust in God’s timing:
  • Perseverance requires patience, knowing that God works all things for good in His perfect timing (Romans 8:28).

Conclusion:

Hebrews 10:35 is a call to persevere in faith, holding tightly to the confidence we have in Christ. This confidence isn’t based on fleeting emotions or circumstances but on the unshakable truth of who God is and what He has promised.

Challenge:

• Are you tempted to throw away your confidence because of trials or discouragement? Take heart and trust in God’s promises.
• Encourage someone else today who may need a reminder of the reward that awaits those who persevere in faith.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the confidence we can have in You because of Your faithfulness. Help us to hold onto this confidence, even when life gets difficult. Strengthen us to persevere, trusting in Your promises and looking forward to the rich reward You have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.