Day 19 | January 19
DAY 19 | January 19, 2024 | MORE BOLDNESS
VERSE: Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” ESV
I have talked to so many believers who lack boldness in their life, especially when it comes to sharing their faith with others. We need more boldness to truly live out our faith. In Christ we have boldness that we must acknowledge and recognize. Boldness is not to be confused with overconfidence, arrogance, conceit, superiority, pride or egotism. Boldness is a character attribute of the righteous. To be bold to is to have confidence in the midst of conflict; to not be fearful of danger or challenging situations. Boldness is strong confidence and the ability to display courage in the face of difficulty or opposition, such as Peter and John faced when they were brought before the council in Jerusalem in the book of Acts chapter 4. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 ESV.” Time spent with Jesus gives you boldness and confidence.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. ESV.” Boldness is the capability to face your fear and stand your ground to opposing forces. To be bold as a lion is distinct from other expressions of boldness because it is specific to that of the king of beasts. Strong confidence is a primary attribute that no other animal exceeds as the lion does in their boldness.
Sin and shame is something that erodes away the confidence and boldness we need in order to withstand enemy opposition. Shame paralyzes people from displaying confidence. The scripture does not say that the wicked are not bold, because they are; but not bold like a lion. The boldness of the wicked is arrogant, careless and reckless. Godly boldness is something we can request prayer for if we lack it.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us boldness to withstand opposition and to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to hurting people.
“And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation].” Ephesians 6:19 AMP
“Boldness is strong confidence and the ability to display courage in the face of difficulty or opposition. ”