As we read through Ezra, Nehemiah and Acts you see a boldness that only comes from God. Many people are bold in their own strength and can accomplish great things but those who move beyond the flesh into a dependency on the Holy Spirit receive boldness and a harvest like no other. The result of that boldness is the building of the Kingdom of God. We see this when Ezra would not ask the king for protection. Ezra 8 “I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him. 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”Nehemiah was afraid but he asked the king if he could go to Jerusalem and rebuild. He prayed to the God of Heaven and he answered him. In Acts 4:29 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

We see this way back in Genesis 15 (The Lord’s Covenant With Abram). “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

As we follow God’s leading to rebuild, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1)