Musings on Boldness and Humility...

Boldness and Humility sometimes seem to be at odds with each other, especially so in our society, and yet Jesus modeled a balance of these two attributes amazingly!  I think specifically of a Proverb and some verses in the New Testament that speak of Jesus' humility which both balance out the importance of boldness and being humble in the lives of those who follow the Lord.  "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1 ESV) and "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

And I can't stop there when it continues to talk about Jesus being glorified by God in His humility:

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

Just reading that makes me want to read through all of Philippians again!  I couldn't just post one verse because everything in this section makes so much more sense and has so much more power when it's kept all together.  If only I knew how to speak these truths more boldly myself- to proclaim Gods glory more openly in my day to day conversations.  

What a blessing Gods Word is though!  To be reminded that every knee will bow before Him, that His glory will be acknowledged by everyone one day even if I am forgetful some days...  He is still honored above any name!  It fills all the voids in my heart and mind, giving me hope for the moment and hope for the day...  My little guy is sleeping right now, and although it is always nice to nap these days, the Bible fills me with such peace and rest that as lovely as sleep is it cannot even compare!  Such knowledge of Gods goodness comforts me and gets me all excited to live each moment in His loving hands :)

Oh the precious gift of quiet meditation.  Even though this gift feels scarce in my life these days, I can't help to rejoice when I find that my rare quiet moments are exploding with Gods overwhelming love.  May I never forget to look to Jesus!

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word."  (Psalm 119:114 ESV)

As I continue to think on these topics of humility and boldness, I can't help but think of Daniel.  How he was a man who trusted God so deeply that he did not give up openly praying by his window, even when prayer to God was outlawed.  The picture I see of him in my mind is such a beautiful one of both boldness and humility- as he kneels humbly before God and boldly prays, even though the King had ordered that no one pray to anyone except himself... and the consequence of disobeying was no laughing matter: death by lions!  Even I would have at least closed my window to pray, so no one could see... But Daniel knew that God was God, and no King on earth could take away the glory that only God Himself deserves.  Oh to fully understand and learn to live out the blessed balance of bold humility in Jesus' name!

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight." (Proverbs 11:1 ESV)

"A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work." (Proverbs 16:11 ESV)

"For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord."  (Psalm 112:6, 7 ESV)

Don't those verses capture Daniel and his memory well- he truly lived his life by Gods righteousness!  Oh that we could all come to a place where we are not afraid of bad news.  Truly, isn't God always worth trusting?  He has proved Himself true and righteous more times then the Bible itself can mention!

There are so many examples in scripture of people who have personally experienced Gods faithfulness and righteousness.  In the lives of David, Sarah, Hannah, Job, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Mary and Joseph...  Even though there were times of doubt and struggle in their lives, as they continued to turn to God in their distress- amidst bad news- He was always true to His promises!  God's righteous character is bold and humble- un-changing and amazing...  Not one of His promises have failed!

And so I end...  

"Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."(Joshua 21:45 ESV)

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  (Psalm 73:26 ESV)