"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." -Matthew 16:18
Have you ever found yourself lacking confidence? Have you ever found
yourself doubting the call of God on your life? I think all of us go
through this, even the most mature Christian. But when we get to this
place, we need to go back to God's promises, and go back to remembering
our true identity in Christ. (Perhaps even begin a journey of truly
discovering it!)
Simon Peter was someone in the Bible who is cited as being impulsive and
emotional, as evidenced by his unending questions and rash decisions.
His name, Simon, meant reed - which is blown and swayed by the wind.
But when Jesus first meets Peter, He says, "You are Simon son of John.
You will be called Peter." -John 1:42
It's interesting to me that during the time Peter was Jesus' disciple,
he is called by two names. Isn't that a little bipolar? I would be
confused in my identity if I was given two names! But at the end of his
three years with Jesus, He tells him, "I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
Peter went from being called something that defined his past mistakes
and shortcomings in character to being called a rock - something sturdy,
steady, and characteristic of his new life build on The Rock -
Jesus. Masks (our false identity) come out of our flesh or wounding,
the areas where the enemy has defined us. Our true identity comes from
God, via revelation by the Holy Spirit, by submitting our lives to the
redemptive work of Jesus Christ. God always sees us in the context of
our future destiny, not our past failures.
Are there any areas where the enemy has defined you? Have you allowed
your relationship with Jesus to re-define you? Are you on a journey of
discovering who you really are in Him? I pray that we will continue to
grow into the fullness of all we were meant to be in Him.
"I know that you, God, are on the side of victims, that you care for
the rights of the poor. And I know that the righteous personally thank
you, that good people are secure in your presence." Psalm 140:12-13
Where do we get our security or our confidence from? It's often
easy to find both our identity and security in other people and things.
How do we know we've misplaced our sense of being, and our sense of
belonging? We'll often feel as though our core value lies outside
ourselves, or that another is more valuable than we are.
There are so many cases of misplaced identity and devotion. Just
take a look at the Israelites. They had the answer, and they continued
to follow false idols and gods. Why did they do it? They struggled
with the age-old problem we've always had - do we let God be in
control? Or do we try to take the control back from Him? (Which never
really works out anyway...)
When you think of security, as in home security or a bank account,
it means that the "boundaries" or "walls" are fortified. There is no
confusion about who is in or who is out. Only the right people or
things should be there. Threats to security or safety remain outside
the walls. When we are secure, we know who is in, and who is out. When
God is at the center of our lives, there is no question about our own
identity.
"The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children." -Proverbs 14:26
Do
you find your confidence, security, and identity in the One who made
you? Pray today that you might be even more dependent on Him to fulfill
every need - in identity, in security, and most of all - in your own
destiny.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us
and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort
you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say." 2 Thess
2:16-17
