Holy Boldness

hearts. If pleasing the Lord is not on the highest priority list of our lives then scarcely will we be able to walk out the purpose of God. Many people want miracles but few are prepared to pay the price for them. Leaders love powerful ministries in their churches as long as they don’t embarrass them in any way. But that is not the way things work out. Scandal, rooted in misunderstanding or unrighteous judgment, is some times the market price of a move of God. As Solomon once wryly said, “Where there is no oxen, the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.” (Proverbs 14:4) That’s why if a person does not have the fear of the Lord they will never access the glory of God. Mary and Joseph walked in the fear of the Lord and therefore they participated fully in one of the most incredible stories ever told. But it took great courage and trust to walk it out. This was not the end of the story for Mary and Joseph. There would be other tests that the young couple would face, but they were established in the truth of the scriptures. Jesus’ parents were not random picks from the crowd. From the story, it is obvious that they were deeply rooted and grounded in the fear of the Lord and committed to the Lord’s purpose on the earth. And because they said, “Yes” their names are household names, and Jesus was nurtured in the simple but holy context of God-fearing parents who saw the power of God intimately and person ally.

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