There is so much going on in the world around us today. People wonder how much more they can possibly take and what will happen next.
2nd Timothy 3:1 says this: "But understand this - in the last days, dangerous and perilous times will come. Times of great trouble and stress. Difficult days that will be hard to bear". We are seeing this play out before our eyes on the evening news nearly every single night.
If you need fresh strength today, I have some very good news for you: THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH! He is the SOURCE of all strength and power.
I want to encourage you today. No matter how weakened you may feel, how exhausted, how discouraged, overwhelmed or weary, no matter how difficult the test, trial, temptation, or problem, no matter how heavy the grief, the sorrow, or loss, the Lord promises that His enabling strength, His very power, is MORE than sufficient for anything we will ever go through in this life. He's got every level of strength that is needed for every level of need. He is the "way-maker". And He is in a league of His own.
The power that works in us is none other than the Holy Spirit of God. The very same powerful, strong Spirit of the Father that raised Jesus from the dead. Friend, I am here to tell you that God is able to give you all the strength you need. And His mercies are new every morning. That means fresh strength for each new sunrise. His strength, His power, His grace, His wisdom, will not only match your need, but far exceed it, and the Lord isn't a stingy giver. He gives us much more than anything we can ask Him for, or even imagine. God's strength and His power are matchless, incomparable, limitless, infinite, and unable to be measured. Nothing can compare or even come close.
Consider these passages of scripture about the Lord's strength:
Great is the Lord, and mighty in power. Psalm 147:5
God is exalted in His power. Job 36:22
His power is vast! Job 9:4
...His incomparably great power...Ephesians 1:9 Love it! Nothing can compare to God's power.
In your hands are power and strength. 1 Chronicles 29:12
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty. Psalm 24:8
God has spoken once, twice I heard this - that power belongs to the Lord God. Psalm 62:11
Be exalted (honored) O Lord, in Your strength. Psalm 21:13
The Lord FREELY GIVES strength to His people, those whose hearts are right with Him. He wants us to come to Him, accept His strength, and not try to live our lives in our own limited strength. His well never runs dry. He will supply fresh strength for each day. All we need to do is get into the habit of being strong in the Lord and find strength in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10. Tapping into His strength. It takes intentional humility to realize that we really aren't as strong as we think we are, whether that is as an individual, an organization, or a nation. We are living in a time when businesses, economies, cities and governments and entire segments of societies are falling apart. If we want to run ahead in our own strength, He will sit back and let us. When we come back ready to admit our mistake, and that we need God's strength, things will go much better. That is because "God exalts His Word above His very name", Psalm 138:2, and "He is watching over His word to perform it". Jeremiah 1:12 It's critically important to know what God's Word has to say to us, so we can claim His promises of strength (or any other promise). That comes from spending dedicated time reading, learning and growing in the Word of God (the bible). God's Word revives us. It strengthens us. It encourages us and builds us up. When you need a shot of strength, go straight to the Word and claim the promise. God is no respecter of persons! His strength is for "Whosoever will". (Whoever wants it). Here are just a few promises about strength:
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29
His grace is sufficient for our needs for His power is manifested when we are weak. When I am weak, I am made strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
My soul melts from heaviness, strengthen me according to your Word. Psalms 119:28
I will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in time of need. Psalm 46:1
May you be strengthened with ALL POWER according to His glorious might. Colossians 1:11
He will strengthen you to the very end. 1 Corinthians 1:8
The Lord is my strength and my shield. Psalm 28:7
God is the strength of my heart. Psalm 73:26
The Sovereign Lord is my strength. Habakkuk 3:19
FIVE EMPOWERING BENEFITS OF GOD'S BLESSING OF STRENGTH: 1. THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ABUDANCE OF HOPE God's strength empowers us with hope! "Now the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, that you may have an abundance of hope and overflow in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit". (Romans 15:13) 2. THE ABILITY TO HAVE POWER TO DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO God's strength empowers us to keep going. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". (Philippians 4:13) "The Lord God is my strength He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on high places". (Habakkuk 3:19. (This means He will cause you to be victorious, above and not beneath). 3. THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME FEAR "Fear not - do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be overwhelmed or dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand". (Isaiah 41:10) "The Lord is the strength of my life. Whom shall I fear"? (Psalm 27:1) 4. THE ABILITY TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING "The Lord is my strength and my song". (Psalm 118:14). "Sing for joy to God our strength". (Psalm 81:1) 5. THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN INNER JOY "Shouts of joy are in the homes of the righteous, for the Lord's right hand has done mighty things". (Psalm 118:15). "The joy of the Lord is our strength". Nehemiah 8:10) God's joy, which is a fruit of the Spirit, gives us strength! That's a two-fer. You get joy, and you get strength. Who wouldn't want that?
You are never alone, and you are never without the provision of strength that you need! Look to the Lord and His Strength. His mercies are new every morning. He's got what you need for today and every day. It's ready and waiting for you. Just show up for it. Thankyou, Lord, for your blessing of strength that you have made available to whosoever will.