FAITH CAPSULE:It is the combination of boldness and character that makes a believer a winner.

Numbers 33:1-4, Joshua 1

Boldness and character is what identifies a believer as a winner. Evidently we see the great handworks of God around every where we turn to. The Psalmist states, “…for your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1) The book of Proverbs also testifies, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) Both quotations are enough for one that believes to maintain a strong boldness that is rooted in the testimonies of God’s power to deliver. However, when challenges show up, the ability to maintain boldness, despite knowing both quotations sometimes freezes. Character, the Christ-like life that is identity of a believer is not enough when boldness is absent. It is the combination of boldness and character that makes a believer a winner in all areas of life. When boldness and character are intact in your persona, being victorious will never be a stranger to you in all areas of life. The children of Israel experienced all kinds of challenges while they were in the bondage of over four hundred years. There was a need for boldness at the time of their move out of bondage to their Promised Land. It is written, “They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians.”(Numbers 33:3) They left with boldness, but there was no character to carry them through, except for Caleb and Joshua who maintained boldness and character of a believer. The children of Israel were able to leave with boldness because they had just witnessed the move of the great, good, and merciful hand of deliverance of God. They saw their slave-masters of many years bury their firstborn children, while their firstborn were full of life. They were glowing while their oppressors were groaning. They were endued with boldness. In the course of their journey, the smoke of bad character revealed itself when the complaining spirit in them surfaced. Complaints caused patience to subside, and their journey took a different course. Boldness, which arises from the testimonies of what God has done and is doing, will deliver victory into one’s life — if one’s character is rooted in the word of God. As a child of the Almighty God, your deliverance is meant for you to be a winner and an overcomer. God did not deliver us to lead us from bondage into another — you know better. God meant deliverance for our good.

Prayer for today: Ask God to endue you with the grace to hold on to His testimonies in all areas of your life.