Hebrews 10:34-35 - Confidence Tossed into the Wastebasket

How do you retrieve it?

Have you ever thrown something away, only to regret it, realizing that you still needed it? And then you have to dig through the trash before it's lost forever in a landfill. Some people throw away their confidence. The Bible assumes that at some point, everyone is tempted to lose confidence. For example, early Christians who had been severely persecuted for their faith were exhorted:

"For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward."
(These brave Christians weren't warned about throwing away their confidence unless it was a genuine temptation that they might face.)
"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." Hebrews 10:34–36 (New American Standard, 1995) 

When someone is confident, they have assurance that everything will turn out alright. In this case, things will "turn out alright" when Jesus' followers inherit a "better, lasting possession,"  meaning they will inherit the new heaven and new earth when Jesus rules as the King of Kings. What is needed is not more confidence, but endurance when faced with disappointments and setbacks. This is true even if we never face drastic persecution.

Thank you, Father, that we are not left alone to deal with disappointments and unmet expectations. We long for the reward of being in Your presence. Give us endurance until Your Kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of the King of Kings we pray, Amen.