The Lord: Our Ever Present Source of Strength

Minister Bob Russell wrote about a father who watched through the kitchen window as his small son attempted to lift a large stone out of his sandbox. The boy was frustrated as he wrestled with the heavy object because he just couldn't get enough leverage to lift it over the side. Finally the boy gave up and sat down dejectedly on the edge of the sandbox with his head in his hands.

The father went outside and asked, "What's wrong, Son? Can't you lift that rock out? "No, sir," the boy said, "I can't do it." "Have you used all the strength that's available to you?" the father asked. "Yes, sir," the boy replied. "No, you haven't," the father said. "You haven't asked me to help you."   -Bob Russell, author and preaching minister, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY

When it comes to your spiritual life, when it comes to the most important things in life, the only way to be strong is to be strong in the Lord. King David knew that (Psalm 18:1-2; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 19:14). David knew for sure that the Lord was his strength. And now on the resurrection side of the cross we can be even more sure! We can be “strong in the Lord, and the power of his might,” because the Lord is our ever present source of strength.

This is why in Philippians 4:13, with all of his suffering, hardship and trouble, the Apostle Paul could say: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Paul was “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” He never could have stood in his own strength, and neither can we. We must look to the Lord. You might be asking yourself at this very moment, "How can I find the strength to stand?" -- We must look to the Lord. But, also recognize your real enemy...

We can see our enemy in Ephesians 6:11-12. Of course Jesus and His followers do have real flesh and blood enemies in this world. Paul was not suggesting otherwise (Philippians 3:18; 2 Timothy 4:14-15; James 4:4; Romans 5:10).

Yes, there are certainly flesh-and-blood enemies of the cross in the world today. But in Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that our greatest enemy is the devil. Satan and the other fallen angels are still very much at war with the Lord and His church. Most people have no idea about the real struggle they face in life. A lot of people don’t even believe the devil is real.

A story published in the New York Times told of a study that said: “Two-thirds of Americans do not believe in the devil as a living creature. In a randomly selected survey of over 1,000 Americans, pollsters asked whether they agreed that Satan is ‘not a living being, but a symbol of evil.’” Sixty-two percent agreed with that statement.

That means over 150 million Americans believe that Satan is just a symbol of evil, but the Bible tells us that Satan is just as real as you are. And in these verses (Ephesians 6:11-12), Paul reminds us that our greatest struggles are not with people; they are with the unseen forces of spiritual darkness in this world.

You may not want to wrestle with the devil, but he most certainly wants to wrestle with you, so we must recognize our real enemy. How can you find the strength to stand? -- Recognize your real enemy, but also apply God’s armor (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Thinking on these verses (Ephesians 6:13-17), we are reminded that Paul was under arrest as he wrote this letter. He probably had a Roman guard standing right by him! We can look at the armor God gives to Christians, and see how to defeat our enemy’s attacks. First: Satan attacks us with lies. -- That’s why in verse 14, God gives us a girdle, or belt of truth.

Next, Satan tries to tell us that we are sorry and no good. -- That’s why he is called the Accuser. And that’s why in verse 14, God also gives us the breastplate of righteousness, God’s righteousness. Then, Satan tries to keep us from moving forward with Jesus Christ. -- That’s why in verse 15, God covers our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

Of course the Gospel is simply the Good News about Jesus Christ:

-That God loves us even though we are all sinners,
-That He sent His Son into the world to die on the cross for our sins,
-That Jesus rose again from the dead,
-And that He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life.

Friends, we have the Gospel of peace at our feet. Now, most of all, that is everlasting peace with God. But the Gospel can also bring peace in our relationships, peace in our hearts, and peace in the worst storms of life. As good as all of this is, don't ever forget, Satan tries to make us doubt God! -- That’s why God gives us the shield of faith in verse 16.

In addition, we also have the helmet of salvation, because Satan tries to tell us that we are lost! One of Satan’s favorite ways to attack us is to put wrong thinking into our minds. For example, he tries to make us doubt the Word of God. Satan also tries to make us doubt our salvation in Christ. But the helmet of salvation can keep his lies from getting through.

Satan and his fallen angels are always on the job...

-Trying to wear us down...
-Trying to beat us down...
-Trying to get us to think the wrong thing...
-Trying to get us to do the wrong thing.

But God gives us all the weapons we need to defend ourselves. And the Lord doesn't just want us to be on the defensive...He also gives us the best offensive weapon anyone ever had. God gives us the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

In conclusion, keep looking to the Lord for your strength. Recognize that your real enemy is the devil. And apply all of God’s armor in your life.

As believers, we have the Gospel of peace on our feet, and it will take us safely over every rocky road we face! -- I have seen this happen many times in situations where you would think the people would be pulling their hair out. But they made it through, because of the Gospel of peace.

Scripture: Philippians 4:13; Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 11:28; Psalm 31:24

Prayer: O Lord, we call upon You in our time of need,  that You give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion. Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while we struggle to comprehend life's hardships. Keep us ever in Your watch, til we can walk again with light hearts and renewed spirits. Amen

God bless you!

Nancy