BOLDNESS

BOLDNESS

“The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

The devil is a predator who attacks the wounded and the weak. One of a bird's best-known survival tactics is to fake a “broken wing” in order to draw predators away from their nest. Cowardly predators are immediately drawn to attack the wounded. Since the devil is a coward he attacks the weak and the wounded, but when we resist him he will flee. Note: “Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

• Goliath was a bully and a predator. He expected David to be afraid and run away. David achieved the element of surprise, however, when he was not afraid and ran toward Goliath. “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (1 Samuel 17:45-50) David was bold! And “When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.” (1 Samuel 17:51-53)
• Wicked King Nebuchadnezzar was also a bully. He made a decree that when the music began to play everyone had to fall down and worship his image of gold that was 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. Anyone who refused to do so would be cast into a furnace of fire. When Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego were not afraid and refused “Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:14-18) These Hebrew children were bold as a lion!
• When God delivered these righteous men “the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor
• was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:27-30) The boldness of these godly men not only affected Nebuchadnezzar, but also the whole nation!
• When Peter and John were arrested for healing a crippled man and preaching about Jesus they were arrested and taken before the Jewish council. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:8-20) The boldness of Peter and John was a key to their success!
• As the Scriptures say: “Submit then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

GIDEON’S 300

• Israel did evil and God gave them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years (Judges 6:1).
• “Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.” (Judges 6:6) God heard their prayers and decided to help.
• The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)
• “Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’” (Judges 6:13) Note: It is a common problem for people to believe that God did things in a previous generation that He will not do now! In reality, God never changes
• or gives up His power (Malachi 3:6). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
• “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15)
• God, however, is the Savior! God, however, has chosen to allow men to work with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9) As long as Gideon worked with God he would still be a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:16).
• “Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.” (Judges 6:17)
• God is not offended when we ask for proof of His presence and commands: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
• God graciously complied with Gideon’s request and gave him a series of miracles that proved beyond any doubt that God was with him (Judges 6:20-40).
• Gideon assembled an army of 32,000 but the Lord said this was too many. If Gideon had that many soldiers they would think they defeated Midian by themselves. So God told Gideon to send home all who trembled with fear. So 22,000 left and 10,000 remained (Judges 7:1-3).
• The Lord said this was still too many and gave them a test at the water that reduced the army to only 300.
• Remember that in those days opposing army camps were very close to one another. Goliath, for example, shouted to the Israelites every day for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:8-16).
• Most of Gideon’s soldiers foolishly put their faces down to the water to drink. This made them vulnerable to arrows or stones from the Midianites.
• 300, however, wisely cupped their hands and lifted water to their mouths so they could drink and watch at the same time! These men were both “bold” and “intelligent.”
• These are the kind of men that God decided to use to defeat the Midianites.
• With the help of God these 300 men tricked the Midianites. When the Midianites heard 300 trumpets they wrongly assume that they were being attacked by 300 squadrons of Israelites. In their confusion they killed one another and 120,000 died leaving only 15,000 Midianites left (Judges 8:10).
• The Scriptures are still true: “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

TWO LITTLE GIRLS

• (Miriam)
• God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated in a country not their own for 400 years (Genesis 15:12-16).
• 400 years later the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt and the wicked Pharaoh ordered that all little boy babies be killed (Exodus 1:16).
• At that time baby Moses was born and his mother hid him for 3 months. “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.” (Exodus 2:3-4)
• As you know, baby Moses had an older brother and sister. Scholars believe that his brother Aaron was 3, and his sister Miriam was 7.
• Miriam, even though she was very young, was bold and courageous enough to guard her little brother. Further, she even had the courage to make arrangements with the Pharaoh’s daughter so that Moses could be raised by his own mother.
• There is no doubt that Miriam risked her life to save her baby brother. Because of her courage Moses lived and ultimately was used by God to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage.
• Without the boldness and courage of a little girl named Miriam it would not have happened.
• (A Hebrew slave girl)
• “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1-3)
• Naaman was commander of a vast army and obviously skilled in interrogation.
• Samaria was a hundred miles away and he would obviously not make the journey unless he was convinced that his slave girl was telling the truth.
• If he made the trip and found this girl was lying her life would be in danger.
• The courage it took for this nameless slave girl to take such a risk is remarkable.
• Fortunately this little girl became a strong witness for Jehovah in the midst of the leaders of one of the most powerful nations on earth.
• After Naaman was healed “Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:15)
• Yes! “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

TWO WIDOWS

Orphans and widows represent two groups of people that normally are in need (James 1:27). While there are obviously many widows whose boldness deserves recognition, we will only mention two,

(The widow in Zarephath) Jesus made reference to the widow in Zarephah at His home town synagogue in Nazaeth. He said: “I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.” (Luke 4:25-26) This widow’s story is found in 1 Kings 17:7-24. Elijah had just informed King Ahab that there would be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at his word (1 Kings 17:1). James informs us that “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain in the land for three and a half years”. (James 5:17) God commanded Elijah - “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” (1 Kings 17:9) When Elijah found her she had only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug and she was gathering sticks to build a fire, make her last meal for herself and her son, and then die (1 Kings 17:10-12). “Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For

this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” (1 Kings 17:13-14) Jesus said: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33) This is precisely what the widow in Zerephath did! She made the courageous decision to trust in God rather than the meager amount of food she had. This is the kind of “bold” faith that all of us need!

(The widow who gave all she had) “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) Luke recorded the same story with these words: “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,”he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on”. (Luke 21:1-4) Regarding the support of widows Paul wrote: “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:3-8) The boldness and courage of this godly widow is a good example for everyone!

TWO PROPHETS Of course there were many prophets who boldly spoke the word of God, but for this brief study we will mention only two!

(Nathan) When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, God sent Nathan to rebuke the king. This was a dangerous thing to do! When John the Baptist rebuked King Herod for stealing Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the other evil things he had done, he was sent to prison and later was beheaded (Mark 6:14-29). Here are the words of God that Nathan boldly spoke to King David: “‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart

from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” (2 Samuel 12:7-13) Obedience to Christ demands that we put the eternal welfare of others over our personal comfort and popularity. Paul wrote: “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Sometimes our warnings can snatch someone from the fires of hell (Jude 23).

(Elijah) We have already mentioned Elijah and the widow of Zarephah. But his boldness is made even more clear by challenging 850 pagan prophets by himself. Elijah challenged King Ahab: “Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:19-21) After hearing this challenge: “the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God. Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” (1 Kings 18:21-24) Those 850 pagan prophets called on the name of Baal from morning until noon but there was no response. They continued crying out to Baal until the time of the evening sacrifice, They danced around their altar, shouted louder and louder, and even slashed themselves with swords and spears. But still there was no response, no answer, and no one paid attention! Then Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord which was in ruins, and gathered 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. To make the miracle even more amazing he ordered three times that his sacrifice and the wood beneath it be covered with water. Then: “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.” (1 Kings 18:36-40)

TIMOTHY

When Paul sent Timothy to Corinth he made an unusual request: “When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.” (1 Corinthians 16:10-11) Why would Timothy be afraid for preaching the Gospel? Here are some facts to consider:

• Timothy lived in Lystra (Acts 16:1).
• When Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra he was stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. This was, no doubt, the first time Timothy ever heard the Gospel and he obviously associated preaching with having your brains bashed out by stoning!
• Paul later wrote to Timothy: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:10-12)
• Paul told Timothy that he remembered his tears (2 Timothy 1:4). Some have speculated that when Paul regained consciousness after being stoned that he opened his eyes and saw young Timothy weeping.
• While Paul was sympathetic with Timothy’s fears, he was emphatic that such fears were wrong! “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.” (2 Timothy 7)
• The Bible uses several different words for fear. “Phobos” is translated as “reverent fear” in 1 Peter 1:17. “Eulabeia” is translated as “reverent fear” in Hebrews 5:7. The word used in 2 Timothy 1:7 is “deilia” which refers to “timidity” “cowardice”. It is never used in a good sense. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) but God not give anyone a spirit of “timidity” and “cowardice.”
• The point is that God can give anyone boldness! The disciples of Jesus were once so timid that they locked the door because they were afraid of the Jews (John 14:19). When the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them, however, they went directly from a public jail to boldly and publicly preach the Gospel in the temple courts to all who would listen (Acts 5:17-26).
• When the apostles were arrested a second time, note that it was the captain and his officers who were afraid and not the apostles (Acts 5:26).
• Some of us are like Timothy and need encouragement to be bold in our witness for Christ!

JESUS

• As you know, Jesus was tempted in all points like we are tempted yet He never sinned. The writer of Hebrews wrote: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
• This means that Jesus was tempted to be a coward just like we are tempted to be cowards!
• After Jesus fed the 5,000 with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish John wrote: “After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:14-15) Avoiding the cross was
• obviously a temptation to Christ, but He overcame that temptation by going to a mountain and praying to God about it.
• A similar temptation came to Christ the night before He was crucified.
• First Jesus sought the help of His disciples: “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:36-38)
• When the disciples fell asleep and didn’t help God sent an angel to help Him: “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
• Hematidrosis is a very rare condition in which a human sweats blood. It comes from the Greek word “haima” which means “blood” and “hidros” which means “sweat.”
• Since Jesus was tempted in all ways just as we are tempted, this means that we too can be strengthened by angels in our time of need (Hebrews 1:14).
• It is important to note that an angel from heaven strengthened Jesus in Gethsemane and not on Calvary! The time to make up your mind about boldness is before you are tempted and not during the temptation!
• Once Jesus had finally won the battle in His mind, He returned the third time to His disciples and said: “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14:41-43)
• John recorded: “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:4-6) Perhaps these soldiers had heard how God sent fire from heaven and destroyed 100 soldiers who tried to arrest Elijah (2 Kings 1:3-17).
• Jesus was mentally prepared to face the temptation to compromise, but His disciples were not! They were not sweating drop of blood, they were sleeping. Consequently “Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.” (Mark 14:50-52)

TEN VERSES”

While there are many verses in the Bible that encourage us to be bold and courageous, here are ten.

• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
• “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
• “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
• “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” (Psalms 46:1-2)
• “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
• “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
• “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

REMEMBER! “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”