He Provides Us with Strength

"He gives us the strength to move forward even though we feel weak." - Crystal McDowell

There appears to be almost no limit to our physical strength. It's truly amazing what the human body is capable of! We've all heard or read about incredible feats of strength. Some of us might have even experienced this first hand.

Of course, when we talk about strength there are other types, as well. There is military, fiscal or monetary, character, political, tensile (as in metals or other materials), talents, skills, and so on and so forth. Generally, all of these serve their purposes and are helpful in our daily lives.

However, there are times in life when a different type of "strength" is needed. This strength is available to each and every one of us. Whats more, there's no requirement to bend iron bars with our bare hands, or pull a tugboat with our teeth!

Strength is such a powerful word in the Bible that it is mentioned in the King James Version well over 200 times, and even more if you include other forms of the word. But there is a strength that does not owe it's power to human characteristics or invention.

This strength can only be derived from God. What this means is that our "strength" isn't our own. It's neither humanly or worldly. As Christians, our strength is found in Christ. As such, we are to be strong in His mighty power.

In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul tells us that there's no other source, thing, or place that gives man the strength to overcome the trials and temptations of the world; including death. He also proclaims in Ephesians 6:10  that the unlimited power and strength of Christ are the source of strength for those who belong to Him.

Too many times we go at it alone, relying on our already compromised strength to confront difficult, trying situations that occur in our lives. More often than not this is a recipe for disaster. What usually happens is that our strengths get in the way of trusting God.

Frankly, trusting in natural strength and/or ability is not what God desires from us. And while our physical strength diminishes with exertion or over time, God's strength does not. He is never too busy, or tired for you and I.

In closing, God's promise of strength is there to help us rise above whatever life throws our way. It also means that we can trust Him to fulfill the promise found in Isaiah 40:29-31. We can always depend on God as our source of strength.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 11:28; Psalm 31:24; Psalm 39:7; Psalm 18:2 

Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I just can't go on. The pain and the fear are unbearable, and I fear that I don't have the strength to get through this on my own. But, I am not afraid. I know that I can come to you, and that you will hear my prayer. You will provide all the strength that I need. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Makinzie