For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods' Selah

3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.

4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.

6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

There is no more obvious arena for the display of over confidence than that of professional sports. It is difficult to watch any sports these days and not witness some athlete "show boating." We live in a world that basks in and even promote braggarts.

And what is all that bragging we hear incessantly about? What is the source of this display of preening confidence? One's ability to bounce, throw, or catch a ball? Does one's athletic, academic or social ability measure the greater worth of an individual? Our world certainly says so, but is that reality? By these standards, personal confidence becomes a roller coaster.

The emotional ups and downs created by present circumstances can be staggering. One minute you are a winner, the next you are a loser. One minute your confidence is brimming over, the next you are wallowing in self-doubt. Why? The answer lies in your spirit.

When the crowd has gone home, and those who cheered you lustily have turned their backs, real self-examination begins. If the source of your confidence was as shallow as your baseless pride, things are bound to dry up one day. That day is a lonely despairing one.

David writes of a different kind of confidence. It's not one that lords itself over others. It does not shift with the latest breeze of circumstance. It is anchored in the immovable. It is steadfastly fastened in a living, adapting relationship with God. It is a confidence based on the character and work of God. This confidence knows that God loves to hear and respond to His own. Is there any better place to put one's confidence in?

Paul reminds us of the proper outcome of real confidence, Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Our worth and position in God doesn't bring about an end zone dance, it results in spilled out thankfulness. That's why David proclaims, Ps 4:7: "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."

Want to get next to someone with genuine confidence, not the fake form that has infused our world with false hope? Look for those who have placed all their hope and trust in the Lord and have demonstrated this by their character and actions. Those people will take time to spot, for they are not shouting for the attention craved by those with imitation confidence. Their confidence is the real deal because it is based in the Real.

Make an honest list of things your friends are placing their confidence in. How many of these things do you share with them in placing your confidence. Are you trusting anything other then the Lord? Are you trusting the Lord and something else?

Make a proactive decision to re-anchor the source of your confidence. Remembering that you can do nothing without the Lord, acknowledge Him who has enabled you.

Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent or careless, but on the contrary it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this.