Strength

Little children in a school playground love to call on an older sibling when facing a challenge greater than themselves or boast about their dad when threatened by a bully. In the same way, even in the animal kingdom, you see the parent come to the aid of their young if they’re threatened in any way. The fact is strength is needed, whether for the task ahead, or to overcome the foe, or both.

In the chapter from which today’s verse is taken, the Lord God displays His strength. Almighty God is wanting us to become aware of the greatness of His might, so He challenges us to view the heavenly host of stars and to take note that not one of them fails because He is strong in power (verse 26). He holds the universe in place and you and I are also in the palm of His hand. He won’t drop you!

David, the young shepherd boy, knew something of the Lord’s strength, as God had come to his aid when the lion and bear attacked the sheep he was in charge of. So, when the issue of Goliath arose, David’s response was “I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied”. That was the secret. The key to the outcome lay in the name, or the authority of the name of the Lord. That was where the strength came from.

In the New Testament, we are given the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from which to draw strength, as His is the name to which every knee must bow. So, the Lord God encourages us to wait for His strength, because He has the bigger picture and our strength is renewed, because His strength always prevails. When we learn to rely on Him there is no room for anxiety. We enter into His rest, because the battle is not ours, but His.

He goes on to reinforce His encouragement in the next chapter with the words “Fear 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 my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

So if you’re feeling battle worn, and are in need of some encouragement today, you can depend on the Lord, for He will strengthen you with His strength. Only then can you fly like an eagle, run without feeling weary and walk without fainting. Just wait before Him and await His command.

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for doing things in my own strength. Help me to wait before You and, in Your mercy, will You renew my strength with Your strength, that I might please You as Your plans and purposes unfold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.