May 10th | Jesus Lives! This is My Confidence

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

JESUS LIVES! THIS IS MY CONFIDENCE

Ephesians 3:12 “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”  

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. ”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)  

Such confidence! Because of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter and the faith the Holy Spirit has given you in Him, you are able to live your life 100% confident that “nothing will be able to separate you from God’s love.” Note in Romans 8 the lengthy list of potential things that could eat away at your ability to live confidently. Depending upon yourself, your abilities, your mind, your education, your portfolio, you would have no foundation to provide you with 100% confidence. But, through your faith in Jesus, there is nothing that can overcome you. 

The writer to the Hebrews encourages you to “ . . . approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that (you) may receive mercy and find grace to help (you) in your time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Further, the writer to the Hebrews says you have this confidence because you come before God “. . . by the blood of Jesus . . . a great priest over the house of God . . . draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse (you) from a guilty conscience and having (your body) washed with pure water. . . hold unswervingly to the hope (you) profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:19-23)  

Jesus lives! He gives you confidence! 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, each day fill me with confidence that You give me a life that will never end. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won! Death no longer can appall me;  
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!   
From the grave will Christ recall me.  
Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. 

Jesus lives! To Him the throne High above all things is given.  
I shall go where He is gone,  
Live and reign with Him in heaven.  
God is faithful; doubtings, hence! This shall be my confidence. 

Jesus lives! For me He died. Hence will I, to Jesus living,  
Pure in heart and act abide,  
Praise to Him and glory giving.  
All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence. 

Jesus lives! I know full well Nothing me from Him shall sever.  
Neither death nor pow’rs of hell  
Part me now from Christ forever.  
God will be my sure defense; This shall be my confidence. 

Jesus lives! And now is death But the gate of life immortal;  
This shall calm my trembling breath  
When I pass its gloomy portal.  
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense; Jesus is my confidence!  (LSB 490)