After Peter and John were released from prison, the believers came together and prayed that they would speak God’s Word “with great boldness.” (Acts 4) Paul, who had been imprisoned several times, asked the disciples to pray that he have boldness. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Why did Paul write such things? It was for telling the truth that Paul found himself beaten and imprisoned. Such sufferings have a way of chipping away our courage. Paul humbly depended on God’s grace to supply the boldness he needed to finish the race. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body; whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)
I imagine Jeremiah prayed for boldness. Over and over God gave this prophet hard truths to tell the people. As Jeremiah simply obeyed his God, he was despised and rejected by men. “I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long.” (Jeremiah 20:7-8) But God would not let his spokesman be quiet.
I write these thoughts knowing I need boldness. I need boldness to live what I know to be true. I need boldness to share that God has never changed. He is patient, wanting all to come to repentance, but His judgment is coming. I need boldness to remind Christians that Jesus hates lukewarmness. If we are seeking anything ahead of Him we must turn. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
It takes boldness to accept such an invitation.