STRENGTH OF THE
LORD
INTRODUCTION
Strength of the Lord lies in dependence on Him in all areas; in both low and high peaks of life. Apostle Paul wrote: I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity); everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need (Philippines 4:12).
Paul then attributed why he was able to do so: I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened me (Philippines 4:13). Paul’s undivided attention was on the Lord; even in seemingly dark hours of his life. Scripture reveals: He was in danger of death often, three times beaten with rods, suffered shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep (sea), and in danger of robbers.
He was in painfulness, in hunger and thirst often, with many more tribulations being mentioned (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Paul then affirmed: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knows I lie not, in reference to the trials and tribulations he suffered with the strength of the Lord being his benefactor.
Strength of the Lord
The Christian Walk
Strength of the Lord is imperative as one walks the Christian walk, especially in countries where there is opposition to such a walk, going forth as a light with the furtherance of the Gospel message and saving of the soul. Just as Satan does what he can to stir one away from the Gospel message, so are those who oppose spreading of the truth of the Gospel.
There is a disposition to dwarf the proclaiming of the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God by those who are supportive of a progressive social gospel that fails to identify sinful lifestyles that are gaining in popularity. Thank God for godly individuals who stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel message, even in the midst of suffering reproach for doing so; who are proclaiming God’s Word without compromise.
Apostle Paul noted a time when the people will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (only receptive to what they want to hear); who shall turn away their ears (hearing) from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Renewed in Strength
The Prophet Isaiah wrote: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). It was noted that waiting upon the Lord to renew their strength is a spiritual strength, which the natural man cannot have but the converted man can, to enable one to persevere, to endure afflictions and persecutions.
Some shall run and not be weary, some shall walk and not faint; others shall soar aloft (as an eagle), still others that cannot rise and fly so swiftly shall run without weariness; and others that can neither fly nor run, shall walk without fainting. In all categories one’s strength was not in their own ability but through the strength of the Lord and His helping hand through difficulties in life.
Turning to the Wrong
Source
We live in what is called by many "the age of information." It was noted that we are bombarded with words, via computer-based devices, television, movies, and radio, but have we heard the word from the Lord? By far more than we need to hear any other word, we need to hear the Word of God, and allow His Word to give direction in our lives.
There is a falling away from hearing the Word of God; as man elevates into the perplexities of life by seeking pleasantries that would obscure what God originally intended for man. His creation of man and woman in the Garden of Eden, later found both tuning into the wrong source rather than strict adherence to God’s Word (Genesis 3:6) and was costly to them as well as mankind as a whole.
God's Intervention
Strength of the Lord is towards His people as identified by the Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the word of the Lord, in saying: Fear you not; for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).
Israel had failed at times, was victorious at other times, but God’s unfailing hand has been there to gird them up in to keep His promises, beginning with Abraham to present day circumstances. Even in the midst of judgment for failure to look to Him, God provided eventful restoration.
Deliverance
Strength in the Lord is pointed to in a poem entitled: "This too will Pass Away" by an unknown author, with these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be. If I can remain calm and quiet with my entire world crashing about me secure in the knowledge God loves me.
If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true that darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away too; then nothing in life can defeat me. For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer whatever is happening, for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear.
For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near. When times of discouragement seem to evade the soul of man, God can open the door to reveal the strength of the Lord is at hand, as with the rising of the sun darkness fades away, troubling aspects of life can rapidly dissipate at the hand of the Lord as well.
Facing a Giant
King David knew firsthand the necessity of having the strength of the Lord, in writing: It is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32). God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). In the day when I cried (cried out) you answered me, and strengthen me with strength (made me bold) in your name (Psalm 138:3).
As a youth, and shepherd boy, David was to face the giant Goliath. His testimony to the King as to his ability to do so was in remembering how the strength of the Lord had already been in his life, in saying: Your servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.
I went out after him, and delivered it out of his mouth, and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him (1 Samuel 17:34-35). David’s confidence was born out of experience of the Lord’s previous deliverances on his behalf. David was victorious, with the strength of the Lord being with him, on that eventful day, when He faced the Giant Goliath.
We Have Forgotten God
It was noted that we have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand that preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us (Abraham Lincoln).
Have those words been lost in the shuffle of remembrance of the past? There are nations today that once prospered through the strength of the Lord but have allowed the diminishing of His name, the servitude of previous years disallowed rather than upheld, with a result of no longer realizing His umbrella of protection and provision as before.
A Return to God
A man of God was asked: If given an hour to explain the Gospel to someone, how would he do so? He said he would spend the first fifty minutes on the bad news of judgment and then the last ten minutes on the good news of salvation, because without the context of judgment one would not appreciate or even understand salvation. Real strength lies in allowing God’s convicting power into one’s life to set the proper course of that life.
The words spoken by the Lord to King Solomon amply display God’s concern for His people to walk in His ways; and if not presently doing so, giving a path towards a return to Him: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Trial of Your Faith
Apostle Peter wrote: We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season; if need be, you are in heaviness (distressed) through manifold temptations (1 Peter 1:5-6). There are those today in the furnace of affliction, some in heaviness due to the perplexities of life weighing them down.
The strength of the Lord comes from Jesus who said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Jesus speaks of an inner peace that can only be obtained through acceptance of Him as Lord and Savior, allowing Him to be just that, trusting and keeping your confidence in Him.
Endurance to the End
Apostle Peter revealed the need for the strength of the Lord: The trial (genuineness) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried (tested) with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing (revelation) of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age (Matthew 24:25:5-12). He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, natural disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him. In the face of all these happenings, Jesus said: He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
GOT QUESTIONS A Website where Bible questions are answered. With over 7,000 answers to frequently asked Bible questions published online, approximately 85% of the questions we are asked already have answers available to you instantly. This Website is an easy way to search out any questions you may have.