So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.              Hebrews 10:35

One of the definitions for confidence is, “belief or trust in the ability of somebody or something to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner.” Psalm 118:8 reads, “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.” This is a clear instruction letting us know that we cannot believe in and trust in the ability of man to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner towards us. Verse 9 goes on to state, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” How many of us think that if a person has a title/position or some social/political status, they can “promote” us or “connect” us with the “right” people? The saying is, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” However, this scripture instructs us differently. We cannot believe in and trust in the ability of a man regardless of his title (prince) or his status to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner towards us. Selah. In fact, I agree that “it’s who you know;” except I am not speaking of a man. I am speaking of the creator of man – the Lord God Almighty.

Psalm 118:8 and 9 repeatedly states, “it is better to in trust the Lord;” so, if we want what is best for us, then we must believe in and trust in God’s ability to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner towards us. According to scripture, as believers in the Lord Jesus, we “put no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3. We place no confidence in our abilities and achievements or in those of others. We place our confidence in the Lord, and we are assured that He is with us and that He will not allow the enemy to overtake us. Proverbs 3:26, “For the Lord shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.” When we believe in and trust in God’s ability, the Word of God promises that our confidence will be rewarded. (Hebrews 10:35). We are given an assurance that when we place our confidence in the Lord, “If we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14–15. It is our confidence – our believing in and trusting in God – that gets our prayers heard and answered.