Uzo Nwuga

In the day when I cried out, You answered me. And made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalms 138:3 (NKJV)

Dwight L Moody said “When we find a man meditating on the words of God my friends, that man is full of boldness and successful”

I have been studying the Book of Acts and found Paul a very fascinating character. This was a guy that was bold and zealous. I never appreciated how bold he was until I read Acts chapters 20 -22 and there I camped for a few days. This was about Paul wanting to go to Jerusalem where he would be bound, beaten and put in prison. In Acts 20:22, he said “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there”. The first time I read this scripture and then read Acts 21 where he was warned again by some disciples, I wondered why Paul didn’t heed the warnings of the disciples and everyone. As I studied Acts 20:23-24, I realised that Paul understood very well what the Holy Spirit was saying and what was required of him by the same Holy Spirit working in tune with his spirit. ²³ “except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.”   ²⁴But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Where others might have had an excuse or even say that the Holy Spirit warned them not go, rather than the truth which was the Holy Spirit advising what would happen, Paul saw it as an opportunity for the gospel because of what he felt compelled to do.

The questions to ask yourself are: can I be bold to do the things of God? do I have the zeal for God and His work? My brother and sister, you have what it takes to be like Paul and even better. All we need is to focus on the Word. Daniel 32.11b “…but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits”. Paul studied the Word and so, knew His God. That is the reason for him not being afraid to go to Jerusalem, regardless of further warnings in Acts 21:4 and 11-13. Where people saw pain, discomfort, Paul saw the glory of God.

And guess what! In Acts 23:11, the scripture says “the Lord stood by him”. Paul’s zeal and fire for the things of God caused the Lord to stand by him. It wasn’t about him being hopeful on what would happen in Jerusalem. He was confident that whatever decision he’d take, God must be glorified. For it was not about him (Paul), but all about God. When we make it all about God, God will make it all about us! We don’t talk about the guy Saul who persecuted Christians, we now talk about Paul, one of the greatest apostles.

So start making it all about Him. Focus on the Word, be bold and exhibit the zeal and fire for the things of God, and you will see God come down and stand with you. It is a given that we always have the love of God. It is a different matter when you have the full undivided attention of God.

 Let’s be that person in Dwight Moody’s quote – full of boldness and successful because of the Word in us.

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