Isaiah 36:4
“And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?”
The Devil’s tactics never change. What he did in the past he will do again today. His effort has always been to destroy the confidence in God’s people. He knows that if your confidence is destroyed, you will not have the ability to influence others. That is why he went straight after the confidence of God’s people in the verse above. When you look at the story in the verse above, you find six areas where the Devil will try to destroy your confidence.
First, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s Word. In verse 5, Rabshakeh called God’s words “vain words.” He was throwing question at the Word of God. That is exactly what Satan did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. If he can get you to question the validity of God’s Word, he has won the battle. Don’t listen to those who question God’s Word. Watch out when they try to question it’s authenticity and accuracy because it is only an attempt to destroy your confidence in God.
Second, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s power. Rabshakeh said, “…on whom dost thou trust?” He was questioning God ability to deliver them. Don’t let the Devil shake your confidence in God’s power. God is as powerful today as He was in years gone by. God can still do everything today that He has done in the past.
Third, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s works. Rabshakeh ridiculed what God did in the past as if it never really happened. The Devil still tries to get us to question what God said He did in the past. Just because the naysayers say that God didn’t do something doesn’t make it true. If God said He parted a sea then He parted the sea. The Devil can shake your confidence if you will begin to doubt the works of God.
Fourth, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s methods. Rabshakeh criticized Hezekiah’s method of walking the old paths. Don’t let those who criticize the old paths to shake your confidence in them. These new paths they want you to walk in have never been proven. God’s methods are as important as His Word. Don’t doubt the methods of the old paths. They will work today just like they worked in the past.
Fifth, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s influence. Rabshakeh ridiculed whether they even had enough people to sit on the horses he said he would give. The critics have always criticized the influence of the old paths, but if our influence is so anemic, then why are they even addressing us? Don’t let your confidence be shaken in the influence of the old paths. Let God worry about influence.
Sixth, the Devil will try to destroy your confidence in God’s promises. Rabshakeh tried to shake the people’s confidence in God’s ability to deliver them. Always remember that God’s promises are true. God always keeps His promises. If God can’t keep His promises, God is not God.
Friend, when you find your confidence shaken, you need to go to God in prayer as Hezekiah did. Prayer is where your confidence will be strengthened. Be aware and avoid those who try to shake your confidence in these areas. Your confidence in God is the key to unleashing the power of faith.