Bold faith.

Bold faith.

How many of us hope that we can be bold in our faith as we face life’s questions and circumstances and pains? We have grand visions of standing up tall and blazing through closed doors and red tape as if they never existed; miraculous deliverance or provision in our hands; looking into the face of the enemy with a willingness to take on any punishment for our faith. These things are definitely bold acts by a bold God.

But I have observed (and because of my tendency to find comfort in control, God often called calls me to this) bold faith that is much quieter...much more invisible to the naked eye, with no applause or spotlight, sometimes even unnoticed by anyone who wasn't watching for God's hand.

When I think of bold faith, I think of two categories of stories in scripture:

I think of stories like David--a shepherd, not yet a king--who walks through the armies of Israel and stands face to face with the giant Goliath; who RUNS toward the weapon-wielding enemy of God holding a sling and 5 stones but COMPLETELY confident in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Of Elijah upon the mountain with 450 prophets of Baal; erecting an altar, soaking it with water, and calling down fire from heaven to prove to Israel that Yahweh is the one true living God. Or of the 12 disciples walking through the crowds of 5,000+ with baskets and the hope to feed them from the 5 loaves and 2 fishes which multiplied in their hands. Whoa, BOLD faith. Visible, celebrated, honorable before the eyes of many.

And then I think of stories like Moses facing the armies of Egypt and hearing from God, “I will fight for you, you need only be silent.” (Exodus 14:14) Of Jehoshaphat who faced a multitude of enemies in prayer and was told, “You will not need to fight in this battle, stand firm, hold your position and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.”(2 Chronicles 20:17) And of the children of Israel on their way out of the desert who were told, “Hear, Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: Let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:3–4)

Because boldness of faith isn’t about our visibility, our strength or us in any way, really. It is simply about our provision of opportunity to allow the Lord to be Who and what He is; it is about choosing to let our faith to take over as we face life’s circumstances and pains because the One in whom we trust is faithful.

Bold faith.
Sometimes it is bold to run and shout
and sometimes it is bold to be still and silent.