Do you often wish that you could take a stand for righteousness like other Christians do?
Do you find that the heathen in your family or on the job are very bold with their sin while you are quiet and silent with the Truth?
Do you find yourself oftentimes living under a cloud of oppression and fear – blocking you on every side from moving ahead in God or life in general?
God’s will for your life is that you be Bold as a lion.
May this message give you the keys in order to reach that goal.
The Scriptures teach us that Boldness is produced by three things –
Trust in God, the Fear of God, and Faithfulness in duty.
Let’s study the Word of God today and glean the insight that we need in order to overcome all opposition that would stand in our way from becoming the saints whom God ordained.
1. Trust in God
Isaiah 50:7 – “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”
It is an elementary principle that Boldness comes from trusting in the Lord.
If you can bravely confess – in the face of every opposing spiritual force and enemy of righteousness – “For the Lord GOD will help me” – then you are truly trusting in Him.
Your confidence in Him will add assurance to the extent where you will knowingly admit – “…therefore shall I not be confounded…” In other words, you know…that you know…that you know…that you will not be disgraced, ashamed, or disappointed. Why? Because you are certain that the“Lord GOD” will sustain you even in the midst of expressions of defeat, despair, hopelessness, ridicule, condemnation, contempt, and scorn.
Instead of shrinking back or being shaken or moved by what you hear or see, you will display great courage, firmness, and resolution – “…therefore have I set my face like a flint…”
In the face of opposition – no matter what it may be – your attitude will be like that of David as exemplified in the Psalms or that of the writer of Hebrews –
Psalm 118:6,8-9 “The LORD is on my side: I will not fear: what can man do unto me?…It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”
Hebrews 13:6 – “So that we may boldly say, THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME.”
Such Boldness will come as a direct result of your acknowledging the Lord Jesus as your one and only “Helper” in the time of trouble.
2. The Fear Of God
Acts 4:19 – “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
Acts 5:29 – “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The man or woman who fears God and God alone is Bold.
It is the one who is snared by the fear of man who is wishy-washy, spineless, and can never take a stand for righteousness.
The one – who fears the Lord above all – has settled it in his heart as to what the striking principle is by which he acts or responds.
The great questions before him at all times are – What is right in the sight of God? Will this please Him? How does He regard this action or choice?
His decisions are not based on reputation, safety, or expediency. They are always based on keeping a clear conscience before the Almighty.
He understands that all authority comes from above and though man’s judgment may not always be according to the Truth – God’s is!
The authorities on hand were appointed and given their designated power for the task. However, the moment that they violate God’s law or command that which is forbidden by Him, this God-fearing man is obligated – for conscience’s sake – to obey the Author of all authority – the Lord Jesus Christ.
No one can be bold without being freed totally from the fear of man – for it will always bring a snare – causing him to waver back and forth in his attempt to please every one and offend none.
3. Faithfulness In Duty
1 Timothy 3:13 – “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Lastly, the Scriptures teach us that Boldness comes from being faithful in the job assigned to us.
In this particular verse, we find the example of a deacon serving faithfully in the church. His constancy, steadiness, and zeal acquires for himself a promotion or an advance to a higher step or office. This – in turn – entails additional respectability, influence, worth, and dignity as well as a good-standing-place.
Along with these qualities, he gains boldness, openness, frankness, confidence, and assurance in his confession of faith. Through the faithful performance of his duties, he establishes a firm and unwavering character – while showing to others that he is a decided and resolute believer.
Proverbs 28:1 teaches us that – “…the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Are you godly?
Then you should be bold in your walk with the Lord.
Are you?
Or do you find that you still cower in the face of opposition?
Could it be that you are –
…not trusting the Lord as you should
…overly concerned with what others think about your words and actions
…not faithful in the tasks that God has designated for you to complete?
Never forget – Boldness will always be yours when you determinately settle it in your heart that –
…the Lord Jesus – Who cannot lie – will never let you down when your place your total trust and confidence in Him
…you are to obey and please Him no matter who likes it
…you must never quit any God-given assignment but stay with it until it is completed.
May the Lord Jesus – by His enabling grace – exchange His strength for your weakness so that all may say of you that you are indeed “bold as a lion.”
Amen & Amen!