Today on Bold Steps, Marc Jobe shows us that confidence comes from knowing who God has called us to be.

Today on Bold Steps, Marc Jobe shows us that confidence comes from knowing who God has called us to be.

David knew that God had anointing a call about his life, and he behaved that way. And he pursued God. And he would say, God, is this what I should be doing? Because he knew that his life was meant for something bigger, something more.

David knew that God had anointing a call about his life, and he behaved that way. And he pursued God. And he would say, God, is this what I should be doing? Because he knew that his life was meant for something bigger, something more.

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute and the senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Well, as we move forward in our series called Rise Live Your Best Life Yet, Mark is going to be explaining more about knowing who God has called us to be. If you've missed any of the messages in this series so far, you can catch up online at Bold Steps radio.org. Confidence comes from having a sense of purpose. So let's hear what Mark has to say about living with certainty.

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute and the senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Well, as we move forward in our series called Rise Live Your Best Life Yet, Mark is going to be explaining more about knowing who God has called us to be. If you've missed any of the messages in this series so far, you can catch up online at Bold Steps radio.org. Confidence comes from having a sense of purpose. So let's hear what Mark has to say about living with certainty.

I believe that we have a lot of men that lack confidence, because they don't know what they're living for or don't know the purpose in life. And some of your hearts are stirred by know I was created for more than this. I know that God has wired me and some of you. It's like a bell that rings inside a bell that says, I know there's more to my life than what I'm living for. I know there's a bigger purpose and a bigger plan for what I'm living for. And although society and my surrounding and my own mentality has dictated this to me, I know there's more. In all the men of God say Amen.

I believe that we have a lot of men that lack confidence, because they don't know what they're living for or don't know the purpose in life. And some of your hearts are stirred by know I was created for more than this. I know that God has wired me and some of you. It's like a bell that rings inside a bell that says, I know there's more to my life than what I'm living for. I know there's a bigger purpose and a bigger plan for what I'm living for. And although society and my surrounding and my own mentality has dictated this to me, I know there's more. In all the men of God say Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

David rose up. Because he had a clear sense of purpose at that moment in time given to Him by God. And by the way, can I say that your purpose is not dictated to you by our society, but your purpose is dictated to you by God? If you really want to discover the purpose for your life, you need to become more spiritual. You say? Well, I don't know my purpose. I just need to get smarter. Well, I know a lot of intellectual people that don't have a sense of purpose in their life. I know people with all kinds of degrees that are as aimless as people without degrees. You see, it's not a matter of education. It's a matter of really understanding who you are in God. It's a matter of getting your life centered. It's a matter of discovering how God is wired you. It's a matter of embracing the purposes of God for you. It's a matter of cranking up your level of spirituality and your sensitivity to God. It's a matter of allowing that inner man, that spiritual man that God has created you to be, to be awakened and revived. Here's the thing, guys. Let me tell you. Here's the thing. Once it's awakened and revived, you're never going to be content going back to who you were. It'll create a holy discontent within your soul. It'll create an uneasiness about life. It'll trigger a desire to get involved, to make a difference. It'll not let you be apathetic anymore. You can't walk past the problems of society anymore and just shrug your shoulders like it's not my business. I have no you will. You will walk different. You will think different. You will. You will behave different. Because now you're a man with a call, a purpose, a destiny, a plan. Now you're a man that's on a mission from God. A man that's been wired with a purpose. A man that has the design of God imprinted on his soul and in his heart, and that he knows within his soul that God has created him for a time such as this. And a purpose that is bigger than just the mundane. David was a man that walked with such a call, not just on this mission, but he knew that God had anointing a call about his life, and he behaved that way, and he pursued God. And he would say, God, is this what I should be doing? Because he knew that his life was meant for something bigger, something more. And I hope, by the way, parents, that you're instilling that into the hearts and spirits of your children. I hope that they're learning from a young age that God has a plan and a destiny for them. I hope that you're instilling that inside of them, helping them grow and understand and know that God can use them. And that they are difference makers. I have a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, who years ago wrote this people grow old by deserting their ideas. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears, as young as your hope and as old as your despair. You see, I run into people that have stopped dreaming. They've stopped believing. They're just surviving. But I believe that confidence comes from pursuing the heart of God. And then it comes when we begin to develop a clear mission and focus of what God has called us to be, and who God has called us to become. The other thing that I see about David and about confidence is so confidence has to do with with our relationship with God, how we pursue God. But it also has to do with our relationship to the mission and the plan for our life. And thirdly. It also has to do, by the way we see ourselves around others as well. Uh, notice I love this story. David goes and pursues these, uh, these men that have taken his wife. The Amalekites have taken his wives and children and sons and daughters, and they start out by being 600. And as they're traveling, they're exhausted. And so 200 of David's army says, we can't go on. Ha ha ha. We can't continue. Go ahead without us. And so David says, okay, stay back here and take care of the supplies. And he moves on. When they catch up to the Amalekites and they slaughter them, they're outnumbered, but God is with them. And they slaughter them. They get back their wives, their children, all their belongings. They have a resounding victory because the hand of God was on them. And they're cheering and celebrating and rejoicing. And on their way back, the 400 warriors that have battled so hard meet the 200 that couldn't make it and were exhausted. And they say to David, hey, what about these chumps? And they're not going to get the spoil, are they? We did all the work, you coward! Lazy weaklings! And I love David's response. You see? Look what he says in verse 23. David replied, no, my brothers, you must not do that with the what? With what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and handed us over the forces that came against us. Notice this David says, no, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. You see? Here's what happens. If you start thinking that anything that you have done is about you and your personality and your gifting and your wiring, and if you're insecure and not confident, then you will not want to share very much with others because you think, I deserve it and I'm keeping it all. Notice David said, it's the Lord that gave us the victory. He gave honor and credit to God. It's the Lord who has given us the victory. Hey, who is doing all the work? The soldiers, but it was the Lord who gave him the victory. You see every every victory in life when you include the power of God, you better be sure to give God the honor and glory. You better be sure that you make God give God the credit that he deserves. You say, well, look at me, pastor. I mean, I came out of nothing. I my story is a story of rags to riches. Look at me. I was so poor. I, you know, everybody has good, poor stories, right? I was so poor I couldn't even, you know, I used to put bread on bread and that was my sandwich. And, you know, we were so poor, you know, it was really hard to even get a cup of water. And, you know, everybody has their poor stories and, and look at what's happened now and look at how I have prospered. Let listen to me. Deuteronomy six says, it is God who gives you the ability to make wealth. So you better honor God. Because listen to me. Well, he can give it to you. He could take it away just as fast as he's giving it to you. In Deuteronomy it says, and as you prosper and as you get houses and as you, your grain sheds increase and as you prosper materially, do not forget the Lord your God, for it's he who gives you the ability to make money. Don't forget God. If you've prospered and gotten think, you better say and thanks be to God. Who's given me this ability to prosper. And if your family is doing well and you have a good marriage, you better say, and thanks be to God who's given me the grace. To do well in my family, with my children. And if you graduated with a BA degree and you've done well in school and you're in honors, and you better say it took a lot of hard work. But thanks be to God, who gave me the intellectual power and stamina and strength to be able to study hard. And if you have ascended in your job and climbed the ladder of corporate success, and now you're one of the top executives or vice presidents, or you're the boss at your work, you better say, hey, yeah, I know it took a lot of hard work, and I took I know it took a lot of perseverance, but you better saying thanks be to God, who gave me the ability to get up and work and the intelligence and the the perseverance to be able to make it. Thank you God. Because the very first thing. Absolutely. Because the very first thing. Yeah. But let me tell you, the very first sign of a spiral downward is a heart of ingratitude, or someone that takes all the credit upon themselves. David fought the battle. He had a sword in his hand. He led the troops. He could have said, hey, guys, good thing you followed me. Stick with me. I'll take you places. Yeah. These guys have stayed behind. Hey, you didn't do any work. We deserve the credit. But you know what? He gave the credit to God. And he said, God has given us the victory. Let me tell you, it's the same at your job, your work, your family. It's the same in politics. It's the same wherever. Listen, it's the same in church. We are the people of God. And when God does a work amongst us, he gets the credit and the glory and the honor. Amen.

David rose up. Because he had a clear sense of purpose at that moment in time given to Him by God. And by the way, can I say that your purpose is not dictated to you by our society, but your purpose is dictated to you by God? If you really want to discover the purpose for your life, you need to become more spiritual. You say? Well, I don't know my purpose. I just need to get smarter. Well, I know a lot of intellectual people that don't have a sense of purpose in their life. I know people with all kinds of degrees that are as aimless as people without degrees. You see, it's not a matter of education. It's a matter of really understanding who you are in God. It's a matter of getting your life centered. It's a matter of discovering how God is wired you. It's a matter of embracing the purposes of God for you. It's a matter of cranking up your level of spirituality and your sensitivity to God. It's a matter of allowing that inner man, that spiritual man that God has created you to be, to be awakened and revived. Here's the thing, guys. Let me tell you. Here's the thing. Once it's awakened and revived, you're never going to be content going back to who you were. It'll create a holy discontent within your soul. It'll create an uneasiness about life. It'll trigger a desire to get involved, to make a difference. It'll not let you be apathetic anymore. You can't walk past the problems of society anymore and just shrug your shoulders like it's not my business. I have no you will. You will walk different. You will think different. You will. You will behave different. Because now you're a man with a call, a purpose, a destiny, a plan. Now you're a man that's on a mission from God. A man that's been wired with a purpose. A man that has the design of God imprinted on his soul and in his heart, and that he knows within his soul that God has created him for a time such as this. And a purpose that is bigger than just the mundane. David was a man that walked with such a call, not just on this mission, but he knew that God had anointing a call about his life, and he behaved that way, and he pursued God. And he would say, God, is this what I should be doing? Because he knew that his life was meant for something bigger, something more. And I hope, by the way, parents, that you're instilling that into the hearts and spirits of your children. I hope that they're learning from a young age that God has a plan and a destiny for them. I hope that you're instilling that inside of them, helping them grow and understand and know that God can use them. And that they are difference makers. I have a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, who years ago wrote this people grow old by deserting their ideas. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears, as young as your hope and as old as your despair. You see, I run into people that have stopped dreaming. They've stopped believing. They're just surviving. But I believe that confidence comes from pursuing the heart of God. And then it comes when we begin to develop a clear mission and focus of what God has called us to be, and who God has called us to become. The other thing that I see about David and about confidence is so confidence has to do with with our relationship with God, how we pursue God. But it also has to do with our relationship to the mission and the plan for our life. And thirdly. It also has to do, by the way we see ourselves around others as well. Uh, notice I love this story. David goes and pursues these, uh, these men that have taken his wife. The Amalekites have taken his wives and children and sons and daughters, and they start out by being 600. And as they're traveling, they're exhausted. And so 200 of David's army says, we can't go on. Ha ha ha. We can't continue. Go ahead without us. And so David says, okay, stay back here and take care of the supplies. And he moves on. When they catch up to the Amalekites and they slaughter them, they're outnumbered, but God is with them. And they slaughter them. They get back their wives, their children, all their belongings. They have a resounding victory because the hand of God was on them. And they're cheering and celebrating and rejoicing. And on their way back, the 400 warriors that have battled so hard meet the 200 that couldn't make it and were exhausted. And they say to David, hey, what about these chumps? And they're not going to get the spoil, are they? We did all the work, you coward! Lazy weaklings! And I love David's response. You see? Look what he says in verse 23. David replied, no, my brothers, you must not do that with the what? With what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and handed us over the forces that came against us. Notice this David says, no, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. You see? Here's what happens. If you start thinking that anything that you have done is about you and your personality and your gifting and your wiring, and if you're insecure and not confident, then you will not want to share very much with others because you think, I deserve it and I'm keeping it all. Notice David said, it's the Lord that gave us the victory. He gave honor and credit to God. It's the Lord who has given us the victory. Hey, who is doing all the work? The soldiers, but it was the Lord who gave him the victory. You see every every victory in life when you include the power of God, you better be sure to give God the honor and glory. You better be sure that you make God give God the credit that he deserves. You say, well, look at me, pastor. I mean, I came out of nothing. I my story is a story of rags to riches. Look at me. I was so poor. I, you know, everybody has good, poor stories, right? I was so poor I couldn't even, you know, I used to put bread on bread and that was my sandwich. And, you know, we were so poor, you know, it was really hard to even get a cup of water. And, you know, everybody has their poor stories and, and look at what's happened now and look at how I have prospered. Let listen to me. Deuteronomy six says, it is God who gives you the ability to make wealth. So you better honor God. Because listen to me. Well, he can give it to you. He could take it away just as fast as he's giving it to you. In Deuteronomy it says, and as you prosper and as you get houses and as you, your grain sheds increase and as you prosper materially, do not forget the Lord your God, for it's he who gives you the ability to make money. Don't forget God. If you've prospered and gotten think, you better say and thanks be to God. Who's given me this ability to prosper. And if your family is doing well and you have a good marriage, you better say, and thanks be to God who's given me the grace. To do well in my family, with my children. And if you graduated with a BA degree and you've done well in school and you're in honors, and you better say it took a lot of hard work. But thanks be to God, who gave me the intellectual power and stamina and strength to be able to study hard. And if you have ascended in your job and climbed the ladder of corporate success, and now you're one of the top executives or vice presidents, or you're the boss at your work, you better say, hey, yeah, I know it took a lot of hard work, and I took I know it took a lot of perseverance, but you better saying thanks be to God, who gave me the ability to get up and work and the intelligence and the the perseverance to be able to make it. Thank you God. Because the very first thing. Absolutely. Because the very first thing. Yeah. But let me tell you, the very first sign of a spiral downward is a heart of ingratitude, or someone that takes all the credit upon themselves. David fought the battle. He had a sword in his hand. He led the troops. He could have said, hey, guys, good thing you followed me. Stick with me. I'll take you places. Yeah. These guys have stayed behind. Hey, you didn't do any work. We deserve the credit. But you know what? He gave the credit to God. And he said, God has given us the victory. Let me tell you, it's the same at your job, your work, your family. It's the same in politics. It's the same wherever. Listen, it's the same in church. We are the people of God. And when God does a work amongst us, he gets the credit and the glory and the honor. Amen.

You're listening to Mark Jobe, and we're taking a brief pause from today's message to remind you that we'd love to hear from you today. You can connect with us in our growing community online, through Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube by getting on the platform and searching for Bold Steps Radio. And don't forget to tap the subscribe button. Of course, you'll also find us by going straight to our website. Bold steps radio.org. And if you have a prayer request or a Bible question for Mark, or you simply want to share your testimony and tell us how bold Steps has helped you in your walk with Christ, be sure to reach out and let us know. Just pick up the phone today and call us and leave your message on a recorded line by dialing (312) 329-2011. Did you get that 312329 2011 or send a message through our website and that's bold steps radio. Org. Right now let's jump back into the second half of today's message here on Bold Steps.

You're listening to Mark Jobe, and we're taking a brief pause from today's message to remind you that we'd love to hear from you today. You can connect with us in our growing community online, through Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube by getting on the platform and searching for Bold Steps Radio. And don't forget to tap the subscribe button. Of course, you'll also find us by going straight to our website. Bold steps radio.org. And if you have a prayer request or a Bible question for Mark, or you simply want to share your testimony and tell us how bold Steps has helped you in your walk with Christ, be sure to reach out and let us know. Just pick up the phone today and call us and leave your message on a recorded line by dialing (312) 329-2011. Did you get that 312329 2011 or send a message through our website and that's bold steps radio. Org. Right now let's jump back into the second half of today's message here on Bold Steps.

And so every step of the way, we need to stop to say thank you, God, that you have allowed us to open up this door. Thank you, God that you're giving us opportunities. Thank you, Lord, that you're providing. Thank you, Lord Jesus, because without your hand, nothing could be changed. God. Thank you father. You know, once in a while I have someone that's maybe a new believer and they don't quite understand the lingo. They'll say, oh, thank you, pastor, you saved me. And listen, I don't save anybody. I can't even save myself. So now I thank me for saving. I, I don't I don't save anybody. I'm a sinner that was lost, that needs the grace of God every day. And the power of Jesus every day, and the forgiveness of God every day. And I'm a sinner that's been saved by grace only through the free gift of Jesus Christ. I don't change anybody, save anybody, transform anybody. I'm just a a sinner that opens up his mouth because he knows how good God is. But it's the Spirit of God. It's the work of God. It's the supernatural power of God that changes people and transforms people. And he can. If he can use a donkey to speak, then he can use me to speak as well. But it is God's work. It is God's power. So God receives all the glory, all the credit, and all the honor. Amen. So praise be to the power of God. And David said, no, we're not going to do that because this battle has been given to us by God Almighty. And I love this. A confident person is not a is not afraid to grant mercy and to share. You see, insecure people find it very difficult, a very difficult time granting mercy. These men that came back from the war, these four men, 400 men that had battled, they looked at the 200 men and they didn't want to grant any mercy. But David knew it was God's battle. He was willing to grant mercy. Let me let me just say this about mercy, by the way. We all need it. And I pray to God that we never be a church, and we never get to a point where we're not extending grace and mercy to people.

And so every step of the way, we need to stop to say thank you, God, that you have allowed us to open up this door. Thank you, God that you're giving us opportunities. Thank you, Lord, that you're providing. Thank you, Lord Jesus, because without your hand, nothing could be changed. God. Thank you father. You know, once in a while I have someone that's maybe a new believer and they don't quite understand the lingo. They'll say, oh, thank you, pastor, you saved me. And listen, I don't save anybody. I can't even save myself. So now I thank me for saving. I, I don't I don't save anybody. I'm a sinner that was lost, that needs the grace of God every day. And the power of Jesus every day, and the forgiveness of God every day. And I'm a sinner that's been saved by grace only through the free gift of Jesus Christ. I don't change anybody, save anybody, transform anybody. I'm just a a sinner that opens up his mouth because he knows how good God is. But it's the Spirit of God. It's the work of God. It's the supernatural power of God that changes people and transforms people. And he can. If he can use a donkey to speak, then he can use me to speak as well. But it is God's work. It is God's power. So God receives all the glory, all the credit, and all the honor. Amen. So praise be to the power of God. And David said, no, we're not going to do that because this battle has been given to us by God Almighty. And I love this. A confident person is not a is not afraid to grant mercy and to share. You see, insecure people find it very difficult, a very difficult time granting mercy. These men that came back from the war, these four men, 400 men that had battled, they looked at the 200 men and they didn't want to grant any mercy. But David knew it was God's battle. He was willing to grant mercy. Let me let me just say this about mercy, by the way. We all need it. And I pray to God that we never be a church, and we never get to a point where we're not extending grace and mercy to people.

Amen.

Amen.

Because we've all needed at one time. These 200 men that were left behind. They were struggling. They were tired. They were weaker. And the stronger men. In looking at the weaker men did not want to give them mercy. Because they are weak. They wanted to punish them. But David said the battle has been God's, and we will honor them and we will give to them, and we will give them a portion of the spoil, because this is God's victory, not the strong man's victory versus the weak man. This is God's victory. And I just want to remind us about that as we deal with people, uh, that come into the church and people around, sometimes it's the church has been bad about how we deal with the struggling brother sister among us. And sometimes our heart. If it's not sensitized to God, when someone struggles or someone falls, it's easy to begin to kick and it's easy to begin to judge rather than extend mercy and help. And trying to get someone out of their state of fallenness. And I believe that it's God's call upon our life not to kick people when they're down, but try to extend a hand and say, come on, can we help you up? Because we all, all of us, all of us need mercy. And when I hear a brother or sister that sees another brother or sister that's fallen, say, how could they do that? I would never fall. I could never do that. I'm never going to be there. Then I know someone that lacks mercy and grace. Because if your heart is really in the right place when you see someone else fall or someone else struggle, if you're honest with yourself, what you should be saying is, if it weren't for the grace of God, I also would fall. And if it weren't for God's mercy and God's strength on my life, I know that I could be in the same place that they are. And so, people of God, let's always extend mercy. Let's always show grace. Let's always show grace. That doesn't mean we become a carnal, worldly church. It means we deal with sin and we confront things as they come. But it means we always do it with grace and mercy, knowing that by the grace of God and the mercy of God, we also would be in that same situation. Amen.

Because we've all needed at one time. These 200 men that were left behind. They were struggling. They were tired. They were weaker. And the stronger men. In looking at the weaker men did not want to give them mercy. Because they are weak. They wanted to punish them. But David said the battle has been God's, and we will honor them and we will give to them, and we will give them a portion of the spoil, because this is God's victory, not the strong man's victory versus the weak man. This is God's victory. And I just want to remind us about that as we deal with people, uh, that come into the church and people around, sometimes it's the church has been bad about how we deal with the struggling brother sister among us. And sometimes our heart. If it's not sensitized to God, when someone struggles or someone falls, it's easy to begin to kick and it's easy to begin to judge rather than extend mercy and help. And trying to get someone out of their state of fallenness. And I believe that it's God's call upon our life not to kick people when they're down, but try to extend a hand and say, come on, can we help you up? Because we all, all of us, all of us need mercy. And when I hear a brother or sister that sees another brother or sister that's fallen, say, how could they do that? I would never fall. I could never do that. I'm never going to be there. Then I know someone that lacks mercy and grace. Because if your heart is really in the right place when you see someone else fall or someone else struggle, if you're honest with yourself, what you should be saying is, if it weren't for the grace of God, I also would fall. And if it weren't for God's mercy and God's strength on my life, I know that I could be in the same place that they are. And so, people of God, let's always extend mercy. Let's always show grace. Let's always show grace. That doesn't mean we become a carnal, worldly church. It means we deal with sin and we confront things as they come. But it means we always do it with grace and mercy, knowing that by the grace of God and the mercy of God, we also would be in that same situation. Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

And then lastly. Not only does a confident person not afraid to grant mercy. But also the confident person is not afraid to honor others. I notice what David said in verse 26. He honored them. Regardless, he honored the elders of Judah, regardless of the opinion of his troops. Now remember, Judah, the people of Israel were the ones that were chasing after David under King Saul's orders. But yet David, when he arrived back at Ziklag, it says he sent some of the plunders to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, here's a present for you from the plunder of the Lord's enemies. Let me remind you that we are all building on someone else's shoulders. That none of us are here without the sacrifice or labor or, uh, perseverance or prayers of other people. That we are all building on someone else's shoulders that have come ahead of us. So give honor where honor is due. We live in a society that despises the elderly. In some societies, the elderly are venerated and honored. And when you're elderly, you're looked at with a great sense of respect. And and the people go to the elders for wisdom. But we live in an American society where we have we live in a pragmatic society in which if someone can't produce a lot, then we sort of shove them to the side. We live in a society. I think that's lost its heart when it comes to the elderly. And oftentimes elderly. Elderly people are looked at as a burden. And as people that have very little to contribute to society. And I believe that we go back to what Scripture says about elderly, and the Bible says this. Honor them. Give them due respect. Do you know that in Pre-nazi, Germany, Hitler's regime attacked a couple of different people, was adamantly against the Jewish people, was adamantly against the gypsies who were sort of a marginalized, displaced people, but was also very against elderly and also had sort of a euthanasia program to eliminate people that he viewed as unproductive to society. David is honoring the elders of Judah that have come before him, building on their shoulders. Listen, sons and daughters, as your parents age and get older. You need to give them honor. Doesn't mean you need to obey him anymore. Because when you're a child, you need to obey. But as you get older, you need to give them honor. If you have an elderly parent that had that, that is in a nursing home or a place where someone else is taking care of them, I pray to God that you're visiting them. I pray to God that they know that they're cared for, that you're calling for them. A society that a society that ceases to honor those that have come before is a society that's that's lost its heart and lost its bearing. So I want to challenge you. David had had enough confidence to honour those that had come before. Although he was young. He did not despise the elderly and what they had done, he built on their shoulders. He honored them. He gave them of his supplies. When they had when they had conquered, he let them know, hey, you are important. We're building on your shoulders. I give honor to who honor is due.

And then lastly. Not only does a confident person not afraid to grant mercy. But also the confident person is not afraid to honor others. I notice what David said in verse 26. He honored them. Regardless, he honored the elders of Judah, regardless of the opinion of his troops. Now remember, Judah, the people of Israel were the ones that were chasing after David under King Saul's orders. But yet David, when he arrived back at Ziklag, it says he sent some of the plunders to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, here's a present for you from the plunder of the Lord's enemies. Let me remind you that we are all building on someone else's shoulders. That none of us are here without the sacrifice or labor or, uh, perseverance or prayers of other people. That we are all building on someone else's shoulders that have come ahead of us. So give honor where honor is due. We live in a society that despises the elderly. In some societies, the elderly are venerated and honored. And when you're elderly, you're looked at with a great sense of respect. And and the people go to the elders for wisdom. But we live in an American society where we have we live in a pragmatic society in which if someone can't produce a lot, then we sort of shove them to the side. We live in a society. I think that's lost its heart when it comes to the elderly. And oftentimes elderly. Elderly people are looked at as a burden. And as people that have very little to contribute to society. And I believe that we go back to what Scripture says about elderly, and the Bible says this. Honor them. Give them due respect. Do you know that in Pre-nazi, Germany, Hitler's regime attacked a couple of different people, was adamantly against the Jewish people, was adamantly against the gypsies who were sort of a marginalized, displaced people, but was also very against elderly and also had sort of a euthanasia program to eliminate people that he viewed as unproductive to society. David is honoring the elders of Judah that have come before him, building on their shoulders. Listen, sons and daughters, as your parents age and get older. You need to give them honor. Doesn't mean you need to obey him anymore. Because when you're a child, you need to obey. But as you get older, you need to give them honor. If you have an elderly parent that had that, that is in a nursing home or a place where someone else is taking care of them, I pray to God that you're visiting them. I pray to God that they know that they're cared for, that you're calling for them. A society that a society that ceases to honor those that have come before is a society that's that's lost its heart and lost its bearing. So I want to challenge you. David had had enough confidence to honour those that had come before. Although he was young. He did not despise the elderly and what they had done, he built on their shoulders. He honored them. He gave them of his supplies. When they had when they had conquered, he let them know, hey, you are important. We're building on your shoulders. I give honor to who honor is due.

Confidence.

Confidence.

It comes from your ability to walk with God, and the strength you gain from God comes from a clear sense of purpose and mission that you discover in the presence of God. It comes from not being an insecure, threatened leader, but you understand your place, and you're able to give grace and mercy and honor to either the weak or the hurting and the elderly and other people around you, because you know it's God that's giving you your success and God that's placed in the place.

It comes from your ability to walk with God, and the strength you gain from God comes from a clear sense of purpose and mission that you discover in the presence of God. It comes from not being an insecure, threatened leader, but you understand your place, and you're able to give grace and mercy and honor to either the weak or the hurting and the elderly and other people around you, because you know it's God that's giving you your success and God that's placed in the place.

That he has.

That he has.

The Bible teaching of pastor Mark Jobe, and you're listening to Bold Steps. If you ever miss a message, by the way, go online to Bold Steps radio.org and listen there. Well, our hope and prayers that you are filled with confidence as you walk in God's strength today and mark tomorrow, we're going to start a new series. Do you know who you are? Where are you taking us in Scripture?

The Bible teaching of pastor Mark Jobe, and you're listening to Bold Steps. If you ever miss a message, by the way, go online to Bold Steps radio.org and listen there. Well, our hope and prayers that you are filled with confidence as you walk in God's strength today and mark tomorrow, we're going to start a new series. Do you know who you are? Where are you taking us in Scripture?

Yeah, I'm going to take us to First Peter chapter two, verses nine through 12 about identity.

Yeah, I'm going to take us to First Peter chapter two, verses nine through 12 about identity.

A royal priesthood.

A royal priesthood.

A royal priesthood. You know, I heard of a little boy who he was about three years old or so, and he had a little brother, just a baby. And he was at the crib looking at this little baby. And he asked his mom this question, mom, does he know who he is? Or does he just lay there and think he's nothing? And I like that, you know, do.

A royal priesthood. You know, I heard of a little boy who he was about three years old or so, and he had a little brother, just a baby. And he was at the crib looking at this little baby. And he asked his mom this question, mom, does he know who he is? Or does he just lay there and think he's nothing? And I like that, you know, do.

We know who we.

We know who we.

Are, or do we just lay there and think we're nothing? So this is about identity.

Are, or do we just lay there and think we're nothing? So this is about identity.

Well, that begins tomorrow here on bold steps. But going back to that final point mark made in today's message, knowing that God is the one ultimately responsible for our successes, we have a resource we want to send you that digs deeper into this truth, not only reminding us of where our strength is found, but actually guiding us in the process of reclaiming that strength and finding victory in our circumstances. This resource is a book titled The Loudest Roar Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ, and each chapter is full of inspiring stories, practical tips, and powerful prayers that will help you push aside the distractions of life to better hear the voice of God through any season and in the face of any trial, step into the victorious power that God alone provides by requesting your copy of this unique, bold step gift. Today, we'll send you a copy when you give your donation to Bold Steps at Bold Steps radio org or give us a call. The number one more time is (800) 356-6639. You can also send your check in the mail. Just be sure to include your request for a bold step gift when you write to us at bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. I'll repeat that. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. By the way, if you like podcasts, be sure to add the Bold Steps podcast to your listening lineup. Once you subscribe, you'll receive all of these daily teachings from Mark automatically to your phone or mobile device, and it makes it easy to catch up on anything you might miss on the radio. Just open up your podcast app, search for bold steps with doctor Mark Jobe, and click subscribe. You can also subscribe to the bold Steps, Minute Pasos, Audaces and Bold Steps weekend, so you get a reminder of when a new program releases. That's our time for today. I'm Wayne Shepherd inviting you to join us again tomorrow when we'll start a mini series called Do You Know Who We Are? Mark will remind us that knowing our value in Christ points to finding our purpose. It's a message you won't want to miss, and you'll hear Tuesday here on Bold Steps with Mark John. Bold Steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.

Well, that begins tomorrow here on bold steps. But going back to that final point mark made in today's message, knowing that God is the one ultimately responsible for our successes, we have a resource we want to send you that digs deeper into this truth, not only reminding us of where our strength is found, but actually guiding us in the process of reclaiming that strength and finding victory in our circumstances. This resource is a book titled The Loudest Roar Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ, and each chapter is full of inspiring stories, practical tips, and powerful prayers that will help you push aside the distractions of life to better hear the voice of God through any season and in the face of any trial, step into the victorious power that God alone provides by requesting your copy of this unique, bold step gift. Today, we'll send you a copy when you give your donation to Bold Steps at Bold Steps radio org or give us a call. The number one more time is (800) 356-6639. You can also send your check in the mail. Just be sure to include your request for a bold step gift when you write to us at bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. I'll repeat that. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. By the way, if you like podcasts, be sure to add the Bold Steps podcast to your listening lineup. Once you subscribe, you'll receive all of these daily teachings from Mark automatically to your phone or mobile device, and it makes it easy to catch up on anything you might miss on the radio. Just open up your podcast app, search for bold steps with doctor Mark Jobe, and click subscribe. You can also subscribe to the bold Steps, Minute Pasos, Audaces and Bold Steps weekend, so you get a reminder of when a new program releases. That's our time for today. I'm Wayne Shepherd inviting you to join us again tomorrow when we'll start a mini series called Do You Know Who We Are? Mark will remind us that knowing our value in Christ points to finding our purpose. It's a message you won't want to miss, and you'll hear Tuesday here on Bold Steps with Mark John. Bold Steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.