There is a certain look of boldness and fearlessness. It’s not a swagger or strut, it’s a gaze of the soul at the Almighty God.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and truth—and commands us to seek wisdom and guard it in our lives. And there is rich benefit for those who do … the promise is that when you seek sound wisdom then it will be life to your soul and you will not be afraid.
In these days filled with foreboding and fretting, we must have the gaze of boldness. In this episode, Nathan discusses Proverbs 3 and how we need a steadfast grip on wisdom and truth if we desire to be fearless and bold regardless of what swirls around us.
The book of Proverbs exhorts us to seek wisdom above all else. Numerous times we are reminded of the value and benefit of seeking and guarding wisdom. Proverbs 3:15 summarizes the concept well, “Wisdom is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with [wisdom].”
But wisdom and understanding is more than a mental grasp of facts and information. We are told to receive and treasure God’s wisdom and Word WITHIN us—in our heart and soul (see Proverbs 2:1, 10). Wisdom must sink down within us and affect everything. We are not after head knowledge, rather, we are after God Himself. He has revealed His wisdom to us in His Word and thus we must hide His Word (His wisdom) in our hearts, minds, and lives (see Psalm 119:11).
There is an amazing promise contained in Proverbs 2:4-5—IF you seek wisdom as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, THEN you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.
If someone gave you a map of buried treasure, wouldn’t you do everything you could to find it? Jesus told the parable of the aggressive pursuit of one who discovered a treasure in a field and sold everything he had to buy the field because he knew the value of the treasure (see Matthew 13:44). Yet how little we as believers seek the wealth of wisdom, the treasure of truth.
While there are numerous benefits throughout Proverbs for seeking wisdom, Solomon gives us six specific ones in Proverbs 3:21-24. He writes, “My son, let [wisdom/knowledge/God’s Word] not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion…” (3:21). He begins by commanding us to keep God’s wisdom and Word in sight; to be our perspective and pursuit. He also commands us to “keep” sound wisdom. The word “keep” means to guard, protect, and hold on to. We are not to let wisdom go from our gaze or our grasp. And then he gives the list of six benefits:
- So they will be life to your soul
- And adornment to your neck.
- Then you will walk in your way securely
- And your foot will not stumble.
- When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
- When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (3:22-24).
The final two stand out to me. When we are at our most vulnerable (while at sleep), we will not be afraid and our sleep will be sweet. There is nothing to fear and we are secure and sound when we seek and secure wisdom in our lives.
Jesus told us the same thing in Matthew 6:33—that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness then everything else will be added. We don’t have to worry, fear, fret, or forebode; instead, we must trust and keep our gaze upon the Lord. We must press into greater relationship and intimacy with Him.
Psalm 91 reminds us that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (91:1). It is those who draw near to God that find Him as their stronghold, protection, high tower, and refuge. The entire psalm is about the protection and security of those who dwell intimately with God.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Psalm 91
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”
May we be believers in this generation that keep our gaze upon the Lord and thus are bold and fearless regardless of what swirls around us.
Listen to or download the episode
Show Notes / Additional Resources
- Learn more about Arise Collective Theatre and their musical “Pilgrim”
- Listen to other episodes with the same topic of being bold and fearless:
Join the Conversation
Question: How have you experienced boldness and fearlessness when you keep your gaze upon Jesus Christ?
Leave a response or ask a question and we will try to address it in a future episode.
The difficulty with podcasts is that they are one-sided—so each week I ask one question for you to participate in the conversation. Head over to the deeperChristian Facebook page to leave a comment and join in the conversation.
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app by searching for “Deeper Christian Podcast” or clicking the button below.
Help Others Out …
Leave a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts
If you enjoyed the show, please take 30 seconds and rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might also enjoy it—as Apple uses the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the show.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
Leave a response or ask a question and we will try to address it in a future episode.
The difficulty with podcasts is that they are one-sided—so each week I ask one question for you to participate in the conversation. Head over to the deeperChristian Facebook page to leave a comment and join in the conversation.
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app.
Like what you hear? … Leave a rating & review
If you enjoyed the podcast, please take 30 seconds and rate it on your favorite app (and write a brief review if you can). This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might be encouraged and blessed by it—apps use the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the podcast.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is the host of the Deeper Christian Podcast and has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
