Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
—Psalms 119:73-80

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Yod י: My Confidence Is From God
By Jennifer Kane

Your hands have made me,
molded the dust into breath,
whispered wisdom into my bones.

Let me be comforted by Your kindness,
a warmth that lingers in the cold of trial,
a light that softens the sharp edges of sorrow.

Let me live by Your mercies,
not by strength of will,
nor by the fleeting approval of men,
but by the river of grace that never runs dry.

Let me be vindicated by You, O God,
for the world speaks with tongues of fire,
but Your truth is the voice that endures.

Let me walk among those who fear You,
who whisper Your name with love,
who tremble at the weight of Your glory.

Let my heart be blameless—
not perfect in my strength,
but pure in my longing,
anchored in Your Word.

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Scripture: Psalms 119:73-80

Confidence is often tied to external things—our achievements, abilities, or the validation of others. But the psalmist reminds us that true confidence is not found in ourselves, but in God.

God is not distant; He is our Creator, shaping us with purpose and intention. When we feel uncertain, we can find assurance in the One who made us. We are not accidents, nor are we left to navigate life alone. Like a skilled potter, God continues to mold our hearts as we seek Him.

Even in hardship, we can trust His faithfulness. Trials can shake our confidence, but if we see them through the lens of God’s righteousness, they become refining fires rather than stumbling blocks. The psalmist acknowledges that affliction is not meaningless; it is a tool in God’s hands, shaping us for His purpose.

We don’t stand firm by our own willpower, but by God’s mercy: The world tells us to find confidence in our own abilities, but Scripture calls us to rely on God’s unfailing love. His grace is our firm foundation.

When our confidence is rooted in God’s truth, we are not easily shaken. We can stand in the face of opposition, knowing that His word is unchanging and His promises endure.

Where do I place my confidence—in my own strength or in God’s faithfulness? How has God used trials in my life to shape my faith? What specific promises from Scripture can I meditate on to build godly confidence?

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My Heavenly Father, You have formed me with love and purpose. Teach me to trust in Your wisdom and to walk in confidence, not by my own strength, but by the power of Your Word. Help me to see trials as part of Your refining work in my life, and may I rest in Your unfailing love. Strengthen my heart so that I may not be put to shame but stand firm in the truth of Your promises. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

February 21 2025