A Fresh Wind is Blowing All Across the Land! "...and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army" (Ezekiel 37:10). The meanings of the word breath in this context include "fresh courage" and "fresh vigor."
Courage is what makes a person capable of facing extreme danger or difficulty without retreating. It implies bravery, a dauntless spirit, and the ability to endure in times of adversity. This is important because God places inside of each of us the hope of something He desires to see come into fruition.
It takes courage to face our hope, faith being the substance of our hope, and the evidence of things not seen (see Hebrews 11:1). Faith, in its basic essence, is a supernatural ability to have courage to believe for things beyond our own ability. Interestingly, the word courage comes from the Latin cor, which means "heart." This denotes the heart as the seat of feelings.
Thus,
courage is drawn from the heart. Similarly, vigor denotes "strength,
energy, and enthusiasm." Both are vital components of the Acts 4 type of
boldness, which we will certainly need in the days ahead.I believe we will have the type of Holy Spirit boldness that brings us courage and renewed faith, no matter what we face.
Wear Boldness Like a Robe
Boldness is a powerful force. Truly, we have accomplished something when we make the world wonder or cause it to startle awake.
True boldness can bring people to their knees! This is why, in my
opinion, one of the greatest historical wonders of all time is the
boldness of Peter and John. The people and the powers that be marveled
when they beheld their boldness, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29). Peter, who once said of Christ, "I know not the Man", was transformed by Him so deeply on the inside that he had the boldness and courage to preach Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. He no longer feared to teach God's truth or pray for the sick, despite the grave consequences – like imprisonment or even death!
And then there was the gentle John, the one Jesus loved, who lay on the Master's breast. Though we often get the impression that he was a mild-mannered, tender, and sensitive man, here he is transformed into an evangelism dynamo! This dynamic duo was filled with the Holy Spirit like a packed net of fish. They wore boldness like a robe and continued to glorify God, speaking the word with freedom, boldness, and courage!
With great strength, ability, and power, the apostles delivered their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, even under threat of punishment. As a result, great grace (loving-kindness, favor, and goodwill) rested richly upon them, "And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all" (Acts 4:33 AMP).
We
may determine to do certain things, but in the presence of resistance,
it can be daunting, defeating, fearsome and wearisome. When we live, however, out of the realm of the gift of faith and we engage faith in the Holy Spirit, we receive supernatural endowments of boldness to be a beckoning light, a sound, a trumpet, and a clarion call for the troops. "Come on, guys!" we can say with confidence, "We can do it!
With the Lord by His Mighty Power – all things are possible if we will believe!
Keith and Janet Miller
Stand Firm World Ministries
Email: info@sfwm.org
Website: sfwm.org
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