As Christians, we know that we are supposed to be strong in the Lord.
But what does that mean?
The Children of Israel knew where their strength came from.
We know where our strength comes from.
How do we live that out? How can we be strong in the Lord each day?
Psalm 44 starts out with, “We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago… It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.”
Be strong in the Lord
A few verses later, it says, “Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you gave us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.”
They knew who was working on their behalf. They didn’t have a false sense of having done it themselves nor did they think that they in any way won the battles on their own.
Only because of God did they have victory.
They knew to be strong in the Lord was to rely on Him in all things.
I love the stories that show God’s unbelievable might and ability to take over the enemy with His Power.
Crossing the red sea… all the people did was walk across!
God, in the face of their mistrust and grumbling, did a great miracle. The people stood in complete awe as God drowned their enemy in the water they just walked through.
At the great city of Jericho… all the people had to do was shout and the walls came tumbling down, giving them the rights to the city.
Jump to the New Testament and stand at the entrance of Lazarus’ tomb… as his sisters told Jesus he was too late while they watched Lazarus walk alive out of the tomb.
God doing amazing things in the face of so many different situations.
These things come to be because of Him, not us.
By His arm, His hand, His light, His love… Be strong in the Lord!
Only through His precious name can we see victory.
Psalm 44:8 says, “In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”
We can only boast in our God because He is worthy!
We can praise His name forever because He has done GREAT things!
I have always known these truths… “I am weak, He is strong” and “Not by might, Not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord”
But in this past year, I have experienced weakness. I have faced sickness and disease. I have no answers and get very tired easily.
I have learned dependence on Him. I wake up each day knowing that I will accomplish my list of things to do only because He is giving me the strength.
I have caught myself thinking “Well, if I prayed this prayer…” or “If I try this…” or “If I have them pray for me…”
I’ve had people tell me why I’m sick or how to be healed or what I can do to get better.
But, I have to daily remind myself that God is in control. It is by His hand, His arm and His love that I live and move and breath.
I can only boast because of Him and what He is doing in my life.
I can whisper His name and He is there with me, walking with me down this road of weakness.
I am thankful to sense His presence and I am strengthened knowing that He is doing something GOOD in the midst of BAD.
He is faithful to do for us today as He did for His children in the Old Testament.
I can watch as He fights the battle for me and know that He is going to take good care of my life.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
Be strong in the Lord.
How can you be strong in the Lord? What does that look like in your daily life?
Enjoy the Journey