Today’s Bible Verse
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.
Acts 4:29-30 (NKJV)
Uncommon Boldness
Following Jesus was never meant to be easy or safe. Jesus’ death and resurrection brought into the lives of the disciples a new found confidence and boldness to keep the press and live out the mandate of preaching the gospel and making disciples. It was also the birth of the church.
The birth of the church also brought about violent threats, religious persecution, physical torture, brutal beatings and many were martyred. This was a ploy of the enemy so the disciples would compromise and not preach or spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. “But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them that from now on they speak to no man in this Name” (Acts 4:17).
With all hell breaking loose and their lives being in danger, the disciple’s best response during this time of hostility was prayer. Prayer was their true weapon and sure defense against what they had to endure. Prayer is the right answer to the world’s hostility. Their prayer wasn’t to escape the persecution, nor to lessen the threats’ or avoid the trials and tribulation which would sound like the logical thing to do. Rather, in the midst of the threats, they prayed, “Lord give us boldness to continue to preach Your Word, manifest Your miracles, signs and wonders all the more through our lives.”
The word “boldness” in this verse is from the Greek word, parresia, which describes a frankness of speech that is viewed as unflinching authority in the face of opposition. It presents a picture of unashamed boldness that is associated with joy and courage. This boldness is not self-confidence or personality based but is confidence in what Jesus has done. It is God-dependent. It is a boldness in God.
They prayed to the Lord, not to lessen their troubles, but to increase their boldness, not to deliver them from persecution, but to increase their unflinching authority so that miracles, signs and wonders would be manifested because of their bold faith in Jesus Christ. They continued to proclaim this message to the world. “As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness” (Acts 4:31 TPT).
If there is ever a time where this boldness is needed in our world, it is today. Our churches, schools, government, communities and families need disciples who are as bold as a lion (see Proverbs 28:1). (Pastor Fika Esau)
An Uncommon Life
A famous Methodist Evangelist, named Peter Cartwright, was known for his uncompromising preaching. However, one day when the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, came to Cartwright’s church, the elders warned the pastor not to offend the President. When Cartwright got up to speak, the first words out of his mouth were, “I understand that President Andrew Jackson is here this morning. I have been requested to be very guarded in my remarks. Let me say this: “Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn’t repent of his sin!” The entire congregation gasped with shock at Cartwright’s boldness. How could this young preacher dare to offend the tough old general in public, they wondered. After the service, everyone wondered how the President would respond to Cartwright. When Andrew Jackson met the preacher at the door he looked at him in the eye and said, “Sir, If I had a regiment of men like you, I could conquer the world!”
Today’s Declaration
Make me bold, Lord, so I can preach Your Word with confidence. Manifest Your miracles, signs and wonders through me. I am not moved by trials and tribulations because my confidence is in You, Lord. I am bold as a lion!
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Exodus 38-40; Psalms 37:23-40
- New Testament: Matthew 16:13-28; Acts 23:1-11
