When Bold is All You Can Be

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3“There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4“For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:1-8

If you have ever reached that point in a situation where all you can do is pray...you can no longer reason, you can't figure it out on your own, and you cannot change the situation for yourself...you have reached the place you should have reached at the beginning of the situation.  It is much easier said than done.  Today and the last week God has been sending the reminder to me and for me to share with others that we need to be bold.  We need to pray bold prayers, and we need to really exert our faith.  It's like the "Test Your Might" games, where you muster up all the strength you can to score as high as you can.  This is the point of no return, where your faith must buck up and stand strong to reveal God's purpose.

Boldness can often be confused with arrogance, cockiness, and conceit.  But in the true sense of the word, it implies courage.  It is time to be courageous in your faith and face the situations that lie ahead.  But don't do it lying down.  Recognize that God goes before you and in turning the situation over to Him, He alone can order your steps in the way that will propel you to your destination.  

I read this passage in the commentary and what sticks out to me is the callousness of the judge.  He did not care--your job does not care, your significant other, your family, your friends, your bill collectors, the doctor, even the judge--they do not care.  And because they do not care, it makes the injury even more painful.  But the greatness of God reminds us that He is greater than all of these "judges" in our lives.  Keep praying, keep asking, keep knocking, and keep seeking.  And He who is faithful and just will answer you!  Be bold, be strong and of good courage.  Know that God will answer and will move on your behalf.  

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9