BOLD FAiTH (part V) – July 2007
Bold Faith. A deliberate decision, a conscious choice to trust in God and live for Him.
I was poring all over scripture to find a person of courage as an example for our Bible study. i didn't just find ONE, i found so many. It made me realize that courage was a character inherent in so many biblical heroes of faith. Courage isn't evident at the absence of fear. Courage is all about taking risks and steps, overcoming fears, the adveristies and the ordinary.
Courage, or boldness, in itself is not sufficient; coupled with faith, these ordinary men & women became key instruments mightily used by God to save lives and inspire us today.
I realised that these men and women weren't just sunday school bible stories. They were and still are heroes; role models - paving the way to remind us that in our "ordinary" lives today, we too have an opportunity be courageous and faithful.
Noah – had the courage to obey God at a time when the world had never seen a disaster of that intensity; had the courage to build an ark to precision; had the courage to obey in looking for and bringing in animals of every kind. BOLD FAiTH.
Amram & Jochebed – listed in the hall of faith, because they had courage to hide their son at a time when all males were killed by the Pharaoh. As a result of their courage, Moses is mightily used by God for the redemption of the Jews from Egypt. BOLD FAiTH.
Hebrew midwives - had the courage to save the jewish male babies from being killed by the Egyptians. Had the courage to disobey the orders of the most powerful ruler at that time - the Pharaoh. BOLD FAiTH.
Moses – an adopted prince, a murderer, a shepherd, a stutterer, overcame his fear of speaking, to go down history as a friend of God, and the greatest leader of all time. BOLD FAiTH.
Joshua – had the courage to take over the leadership helm from Moses, the greatest leader of all time. To no other leader has the assurance from God, “Be strong, and of good courage!” appeared so many times. It took courage to lead this pack of forgetful and stubborn people. It took courage to obey God and lead the people through a place he had never been before. It took courage to lead them into the promised land. BOLD FAiTH.
Rahab – This prostitute, who did not know God had the courage to risk her life for the safety of a bunch of Jewish spies. Had courage and faith to believe the hear-says that this Jewish God parted the Red Sea to save them from Pharaoh in Egypt. Had the courage to request for her life and her family’s to be spared when (not if) the Jewish came back to conquer Jericho. BOLD FAiTH. She goes down the hall of faith appearing in the lineage of Jesus. BOLD FAiTH.
Esther – had the courage to speak up to the King to save her people from genocide. Had the courage to expose the evil schemes of Haman. BOLD FAiTH.
Daniel – a captive in a foreign land, with a foreign name and teachings, had the courage to stand up and speak up for his beliefs and his faith. Even to the point of death and the lion’s mouth. God granted him favour and a spirit of excellence. He became the king’s 2nd man- for 3 kings. BOLD FAiTH.
Daniel’s 3 friends - Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego – had the courage to stand up for their faith by not bowing to the golden image of the king; even at the risk of death in a fiery furnace. BOLD FAiTH.
Peter – had the courage to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. Had the courage to ask Jesus to allow him to walk on water. Upon his restoration by Jesus – had the courage to be used mightily by God even unto death. BOLD FAiTH.
Paul – a Pharisee, a persecutor of churches. Upon the encounter with Christ, had the courage to stand up and speak up for the Christ he now knew. Had the courage to teach and preach the gospel of Christ in spite of persecution. BOLD FAiTH.
And so so many more. Their bold faith and courage simply inspires. Men and women who are completely and utterly sold out for God. Surrendering their lives to be used in the hands of a mighty God for His purpose. Ordinary folks in the hands of an extraordinary God did extraordinary things to the glory of God.
