STRENGTH OF THE
LORD
INTRODUCTION
Strength of the Lord is of upmost importance in perilous times that fluctuate by the hour which without the help of the Lord would seem hopeless! There is a power grab globally that seeks to stamp out any in opposition to tyranny and control of the masses.
It is likened to Samson who opposed the Philistines who attempted to enslave the Israelites (Judges 13:5); little David who faced the giant Goliath, who, if not defeated, would have resulted in enslavement of the Israelites (1 Samuel 17:9). In both cases, the strength of the Lord prevailed to enhance victory rather than defeat!
Strength of the Lord
Enduring Faith
In a poem entitled: "This too will Pass Away" by an unknown author, are found these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be. If I can remain calm and quiet with my entire world crashing about me secure in the knowledge God loves me.
If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true that darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away too; then nothing in life can defeat me. For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer whatever is happening, for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear.
For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near. The strength of the Lord prevailed because hope was mixed with faith! Scripture reveals: Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Blessed or Cursed
The Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, concerning the further glory of Israel, said: Arise, shine, for the light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon you and his glory shall be seen upon you (Isaiah 60:1-2). The Prophet Isaiah revealed a time when Israel would arise out of darkness and shine with God’s glory.
Many times Israel had been threatened with extinction but the strength of the Lord prevailed; with some forgetting the promise of God to Abraham of old: I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you, and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:3). It was noted that God promises to make Israel a great nation, to bless the seed of Abraham, to bless those who blessed him and curse those than cursed him; which continues to this day!
Prophecy Foretold
In a Camp Meeting a prophecy came forth: When I visit My people in mighty revival power, it is to prepare them for the darkness ahead. With the glory shall come great darkness, for the glory is to prepare My people for the darkness, I will enable My people to go through because of the visitation of My Spirit.
In the last days shall come seducing spirits that shall turn many of My anointed ones away. Many shall fall through divers lusts and because of sin abounding. But if you will seek Me diligently, I will put My spirit within you. When one shall turn to the right hand or the left you shall not turn with them, but keep your eyes wholly on the Lord. The strength of the Lord; His power, His might, is demonstrated in this prophetic word of assurance!
We Have Forgotten
God
It was noted that we have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God (Abraham Lincoln).
America had suffered a civil war, as a divided nation, rose out of the ashes to abound through the strength of the Lord! Has it not become of such a nature again; forgetting the gracious hand of God, who was merciful and nourished it back to spiritual health in Him?
The Statute of Liberty became tarnished through the years with a model “Keep the Torch Lit” adopted towards its restoration which was accomplished. Has the nation, and others, became tarnished through embracing the ungodliness of man, towards pleasure seeking agenda proven to be ungodly, and forsaking of the God of its creation?
Arising of Ungodly
Influence
There is an influence rising from Socialism, Marxism, cousins to Communism; Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Great Reset Plan, instituted by the World Economic Forum; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transformation; to name but a few, that would upset the normality of life. Included in the spin-off of evil is a drive to maintain legalized abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage, and transgenderism as a way of life, though condemned in God’s Word.
Goals include: Discredit family as an institution; control of the schools to use as tools for promoting ungodly agenda; eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them violation of free speech and free press; break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography in books, magazines, motion pictures, and TV; infiltrate the press, gain control of key positions in government, radio, TV, and motion pictures; infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with social religion.
Voices of the Past
Scripture reveals: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; to which the righteous flee and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Voices of the past reveal: Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better (Samuel Adam).
The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us or forsake us; so that He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways, that all people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, there is no other (George H. W. Bush). The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth (Dwight D. Eisenhower). These voices reflect the need for the strength of the Lord to sustain and nourish any nation!
Mortality of a Nation
It was noted that it is estimated that the average duration of the world’s great civilizations has been about 200 years. A study of these civilizations reveals that their mortality was not due to the lack of mental ability but to moral degeneration. We are seeing such surface in nations that are allowing ungodliness to rule and set the order of the day; often a minority but with power and influence to excel in their desired goals.
There is violence, chaos, and dissension taking place that attempts to alienate any divine influence. As morality diminishes; immorality gains the upper hand! If the strength of the Lord is not sought after to deter such atrocities they become stronger and harder to erase from the scene!
Church is not Immune
Noah H. Mack, in a sermon titled “Little Foxes” noted that the church was not immune in writing: With much interest and prayer I have observed the movements and efforts of the church for more than thirty-five years; all this while it has developed a great power to work, but almost as fast as she grows in efficiency for labor she drifts into worldliness in one way or another and all because of fostered pride and love of pleasure.
Those who have been responsible for the housekeeping in the church has not been watchful enough and let the little foxes creep into the vineyard and now they are so numerous and big that they cannot be driven out by ordinary methods of teaching and warning, for they well-nigh have possession of the vineyard. Those words denote the condition of the church, allowing worldliness to seed its way into the life of the church, overpowering any godly influence!
Strength of the Lord
Revealed
The need for the strength of the Lord is revealed in God’s Word. The Psalmist David wrote: It is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32). The Prophet Isaiah: 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 the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).
The Prophet Zechariah: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). Apostle Paul: He (Abraham) staggered (waivered) not at the promise of God, through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded (convinced) that, what he had promised, he was able to perform (Romans 4:20-21).
In the hour in which we live one needs the strength of the Lord; through A Heavenly Father, His Spirit, and the Lord Jesus Christ! Apostle Paul wrote: To us (the believer) there is but one God, the Father of whom are all things, and we in (for) him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by (live by) him (1 Corinthians 8:6).
Weapons of Our
Warfare
Apostle Paul wrote: The weapons of our (the believer) warfare are not carnal (of human standards) but mighty through God (strength of the Lord) to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations (arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:27-39).
Strong in the Lord
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (strength of the Lord), that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (human standards), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take (put on) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13).
The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Apostle Paul further noted: Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (for strength of the Lord) (Ephesians 6:18)!
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