Proverbs - Do Not Be Afraid

Proverbs 3:25-26

 Be not afraid of sudden fear,

neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

 For the LORD shall be thy confidence,

and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

                        What a sweet promise for us. The Lord will be our confidence.  He shall keep our foot from being taken.  He looks out for us and His counsels are to be relied upon.  Here we see not having confidence in the Lord but the Lord Himself being our confidence in the first place.  As we guard wisdom, He guards us.

                                                                                          

Proverbs - Strength and Power

Proverbs 30:29-31

There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:

A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

Here is another list.  This is a list of things that are very stately in their presence.  We see a lion, a greyhound, a he goat and a king.  All of these know their place and have their power and strength under control.  They are to be respected because they know who they are and what they are able to do.  We need to know who we are in Christ and the authority we have in the fact that we know the truth and there is no need to attack or exercise our authority in a non self-controlled manner.  We can hold our ground in the face of a tantrum-driven child or an argumentative adolescent.  We can, like the lion, hold our ground and wait for the right time to step forth and establish our position.  We can, like the king, 

Knowing God - God Gives Boldness

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Jesus gives us boldness.  It is not the credentials of a well educated theologian that gives boldness.  It is not the number of years that we have named the name of Christ that gives us boldness.  It is not the well rehearsed orations when challenged that gives us boldness.  It is Jesus Himself that gives us boldness.  Spending time with Him gives us a boldness and surety that no other form of preparation can give.  Our Lord Jesus awaits our fellowship and gives us confidence when we spend time with Him.  As He speaks to us and listens to us a relationship is established that transcends all other commitments and loyalties.  When we spend time with Jesus, a fortitude and resolve resonates from our lives enough to make others notice.  Jesus gives this sort of boldness and only His presence has such power.